Egyptian Papyrus

It was recently reported that a 1500-year-old ancient Egyptian papyrus was found (rolled up in an amulet) that contains a noteworthy Christian confession. Just as the early church fathers spoke often and highly of the Lord’s Supper, so does the confession of faith written on this papyrus:

Fear you all who rule over the earth. 

Know you nations and people that Christ is our God. 

For He spoke and they came into being, He commanded and they were created; He put everything under our feet and delivered us from the wish of our enemies. 

Our God prepared a sacred table in the desert for the people and gave manna of the new covenant to eat, the Lord’s immortal body and the blood of Christ poured for us in remission of sins.

Two Parables, Revisited

This past month I wrote a newsletter article on two of Jesus’ parables: the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46). Below is an excerpt from that article:

Over the years, I’ve heard many people explain these parables as follows. Jesus is the treasure hidden in the field. Jesus is the one pearl of great value. He is so valuable, so precious, so important that we should be willing to go and sell all to have Him. What’s the problem with such an interpretation? It’s not faithful to God’s Word.

A friend and brother in Christ asked me about the final two sentences. I’m glad he did, because I did not choose my words very wisely, nor did I communicate my thoughts as I should have. For that I apologize. I do believe one can explain these parables as described in the aforementioned paragraph and still be faithful to God’s Word.

Below is my revision of the aforementioned paragraph and what I should have stated from the start:

Over the years, I’ve heard many people explain these parables as follows. Jesus is the treasure hidden in the field. Jesus is the one pearl of great value. He is so valuable, so precious, so important that we should be willing to go and sell all to have Him. While such an interpretation is faithful to God’s Word, I believe there is an equally valid Christological interpretation that is worthy of our time and attention. For both parables beautifully teach us how much God values us and how much He gave up to win us back in Jesus Christ!

The late Rev. Professor Kurt Marquart (one of my favorite profs) often asked questions of us students such as, “How does this text extol Christ and His work for us?”

When I hear the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, Professor Marquart’s question comes to mind. How do these parables extol Christ and His work for us? While that isn’t the only question one can ask, it is a valid and central one. Examining the text, I believe a Christological interpretation of these parables is very appropriate. And I am not alone in this.

A Christological interpretation of these two parables is spelled out exegetically in Matthew 11:2–20:34, Concordia Commentary (St. Louis: CPH, 2010), 716-721. What’s more, below is a brief note from The Lutheran Study Bible for consideration as well:

“Difference interpretations of this short parable exist. One may naturally see the man as any man and the treasure as the kingdom of heaven that he discovers. However, a more Christological interpretation describes the field as the world, the treasure as you (the hearer), and the man as Christ, who gives up the glory of heaven to win you.” [The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, CPH, 2009), 1610]

How much does Christ value us? He gave up everything to purchase us from sin, death, and the devil. By God’s grace, we in faith value Christ and His kingdom above all else.