My first career was as a golf pro. Not the kind that toured the world playing in tournaments for millions, though. Instead, I helped run the operation of golf courses. One of my favorite parts was, and still is, teaching golf lessons.
People often talk to me about how difficult golf can be and that they don’t understand the swing. I tell them, jokingly, that anyone can have a pretty good golf swing if they just do the opposite of everything that makes sense and feels natural.
One of the biggest hurdles for students after taking a lesson is trusting the change enough to stay with it. Sure, there are ways to make quick swing changes that lead to instant results, but at some point, you have to be willing to stick with the process.
What that means is, frequently, golfers have to struggle before they get better. It’s their ability to endure through a swing change, even when they don’t see how it all comes together, that allows them to eventually get to where their instructor is taking them.
That’s true not just in golf, but in faith as well. By this point in Matthew 13, it’s almost like Jesus is anticipating the disciples’ questions. He’s helped them learn how to listen to, receive, and wait for the Kingdom. One might start to think, “Is it worth it, though?”
In the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl, he shows how valuable the kingdom of God is. A man finds a treasure and sells everything to buy the field where it was found. His sacrifice is great because he knew the value.
The Kingdom is infinitely more valuable than a great golf swing. So even though true discipleship is sometimes hard, it’s absolutely worth it. Along the way, there are glimpses that act as signs of what is coming. In golf, you’ll hit a shot every now and then that shows you what the swing could become. The Kingdom is kind of like that. We get tastes of the life Jesus is forming in us and the world he’s bringing now, even if it hasn’t fully arrived yet.
The parable of the fishing net adds a sober reminder to all of this. Jesus tells us there will be a final sorting in the end, where what is true will be revealed. You can fake a golf swing for a shot or two, but over time, it will become clear whether the student trusted the instructor and followed.
Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom is not only precious, but it’s also serious. The call is not to casually admire it or assume that proximity equals commitment, but to genuinely receive it, trust him fully, and follow where he leads.
Reflection:
- What part of following Jesus is most difficult right now? What are you being asked to trust Jesus with right now, even though you can’t yet see the full result?
- What “treasure” do you value most right now, and how does that shape the way you live?
- Where is Jesus giving you glimpses of his kingdom that might help you continue to follow him?