The Kingdom of Heaven is the greatest treasure in the Universe

Open: Buried treasure exists and some of it is in America. Ranging from Pirate treasure on the Atlantic seaboard from the 1700’s to recently hidden treasure in Idaho, reports of hidden loot continue to consume the time and energy of treasure hunters. Some have even died in the process of seeking to find the hidden treasure

Transition: Thoughts of buried treasure easily capture our imagination. When we see a documentary or read an article about such things we may start to think about what it would be like if we were the ones to find the hidden stash. Think about what it would be like to find treasure and then just leave it and walk away.

In tonight’s parables Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to similar things: Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price.

READ the TEXT: Matthew 13:44-45

These 2 parables of the Kingdom are very short, one verse each. Although not much ink is involved in these 2 accounts, the meaning and understanding of them is quite vast.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Let’s begin by looking at the sequence of events

A person is out walking and seemingly stumbles upon a buried treasure in a field

Instead of immediately taking the loot he reburies it and goes his way

In a state of great joy, he liquidates all of his material assets in order to have the needed purchase amount for the field that contains the treasure

He buys the field so he can possess the treasure

What is the meaning of this parable?

First, let’s not make the mistake of thinking a person has to buy his or her salvation. The prophet Isaiah made it very clear that money is not needed for redemption:

Isaiah 55:1–3 KJV 1900

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, And he that hath no money; Come ye, buy, and eat; Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, And let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, Even the sure mercies of David.

Jesus has already paid it all. Jesus went to the Cross to pay a debt we cannot.

King James Version Chapter 5

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

So, what is meant by selling all that he had and buying the field?

Salvation is a free gift but it is received with an empty hand. The idea is that when the Holy Spirit reveals to a sinner his or her genuine condition as lost and undone, that person will abandon ALL previous investments, attitudes, mindsets, safety nets, etc. and will surrender everything to Jesus.

Too often when we make a Gospel presentation we leave off any discussion of repentance or sacrifice. We focus on going to heaven and asking Jesus into our hearts. We ask people to raise a hand or sign a card and then tell them they are OK with God - good to go for Eternity!

The person in the Parable realizes what he or she has found. This one understands the Saviour is worth everything and sells out to Jesus!

Application: Have you sold out to Jesus? Have you died to you old way of life and accepted His light yoke? (Matt 11:28) Are you giving a full Gospel presentation to lost people?

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Unlike the person who seemingly stumbles upon buried treasure, the person in this account is seeking valuable pearls. He is described as a merchant, the type of person who already possessed a working knowledge of the value of pearls. This man had seen lots of other pearls, some of them assuredly were valuable and worth a good amount of money. However, when the merchant discovers the Pearl of Great Price, he realizes that this pearl is different from the others. This pearl is unique and priceless, without equal to be found. As a result of finding this Pearl of Great Price, he too, liquidates all of his assets in order to obtain it.

Possible point of confusion: The merchant is declared to be a seeker and this is decidedly a Kingdom parable with the focus of entering the Kingdom. Yet in Romans 3:10-12 Paul declares that no one is righteous and that “none that seeketh after God.” And the prophet encourages people “seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

Parables are focused on one main point, and the main point in both of these parables is that exceedingly great value of the Kingdom and a person’s willingness to surrender all in order to gain entrance. When faced with a seeming contradiction we have to interpret Scripture with Scripture and place it in the overall context of the Biblical message.

The merchant who is seeking is responding to the initiative of God. Some people with no religious expectations will have a Divine Encounter that seems to them to come out of left field (like the person who seemingly stumbles over buried treasure)

Principles for reflection

In both parables, the Kingdom is said to have great value. It is actually of the greatest imaginable value. If the Bible is genuine and gives a true account (AND it is and it does), then salvation (entrance into the Kingdom is the most important thing in the Universe.

In both parables, an emphasis is placed on giving up in the material realm to possess the spiritual realm. Contrast the attitude of the two people in these parables with the attitude of the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)