112. The Treasure
Hidden in a field.
Mat. 13:44
In the previous two parables, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to inexpensive things: leaven and a mustard seed. In the next two, He compared His kingdom to things of great value: a treasure and a pearl.
The person who discovered the treasure was not in search of a treasure. The field did not belong to him. He was just tending a flock or plowing a rented field. Then he saw something that aroused his curiosity, maybe a protruding piece of rock or wood in the soil. When he investigated further, he found, to his utter amazement and excitement, a treasure hidden in the ground. Maybe it was coins or jewels.
He looked around to make sure nobody had noticed his activity, then he covered the treasure again, and started to work on a plan. Eventually he decided to sell everything he owned to buy that piece of land with its hidden treasure. Then the land and the treasure would be his.
The same thing happens in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said. One visits a place one has visited many times before (like a church), or one does something one has done many times before (like reading the Bible), and unexpectedly a treasure of truth is suddenly opened to you. The scales fall from your eyes (Acts 9:18), and you know you have discovered something of overwhelming importance. Immediately it becomes first priority.
To have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and to accept him as your personal Savior is such a treasure-experience. Everything that has been important to you up to this point, now seems worthless, and you gladly part with that to make this treasure your own. The old sinful life-style is part of the trash you gladly get rid of.
Paul describes this experience in his life: "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith." (Phil. 3:7-9).
When Paul had exchanged his rubbish for God’s treasure, he never looked back with regret on this bargain.
A prayer: Jesus, You are the treasure in my field.
A thought: Do I notice and enjoy the treasures God puts into my field?
113. The Pearl
Of great value.
Mat. 13:45-46
The fellow who discovered the treasure in the field stumbled over it by accident. The merchant in this parable traveled around, purposely seeking excellent pearls, until he eventually found what he was looking for, an extraordinary pearl of great value. Some discover the kingdom of heaven unexpectedly, while others come to it only after a long search.
The long painful way a pearl is formed in the shell is symbolic of the long, painful search of the merchant. Sometimes there is a long, arduous search before one get to the pearl of great value. Many have made this painful journey. Jacob struggled with God and men (Gen. 32:28) for twenty years before he was reborn as "Israel". Joseph suffered many hardships before he was exalted as ruler of Egypt and discovered the purpose of his life.
As a young man, David had to flee from Saul. He was thirty years old before he changed from refugee to king. Jesus worked as a carpenter until He was thirty before He started His glorious ministry. The disciples did ordinary work before they were called to start the Christian church.
Since Jesus was talking about the kingdom of heaven, this pearl represented the gospel He was bringing. This pearl is Peace-with-God. Neither angel nor man can buy it. Many people tried in vain to buy this pearl with good works, like Paul, Augustine, and Luther did until they found the pearl of great value: salvation bought by the blood of Christ. Augustine expressed this reality in a phrase that has become renowned in the Christian world: "The soul of man is restless until it rests in God." Sell everything you have, push everything aside to pursue this goal. Peace with God through Christ—the pearl of great value!
The pearl may also have a secondary meaning: peace-with-myself. Real peace with oneself is dependent on peace with God. Once you have found peace with God, you can start searching for peace with yourself. You may have to make peace with some bad things in your past or present before you can embrace your wonderful potential for the future.
It may be an ideal or a dream, a job or a hobby, an adventure or a journey, a charity or a ministry, writing a book or creating a work of art. Go for it! Mobilize all you are and all you have to reach this goal, and enjoy this fulfilling purpose in life. Climb the mountain one step at a time.
A prayer: God, help me to keep searching for the pearl of great value.
A thought: Do I know what I’m searching for?