Parables of Jesus Part 3

True Treasure

Have you ever lost something that you really and truly valued? Maybe it was something that had a high monetary value or maybe it had great sentimental value.

In all of us is the nature to value things because of their price tag or social esteem. I remember as a young man, you were not cool if you did not have a Members Only jacket, an Izod shirt, and Nike tennis shoes. Then just as my father worked so hard to get me these things because they were so important to me, the social status changed and those things were out and it was now Polo shirts and Penny Loafers. Today, Converse are extremely popular. But when I was growing up only the poorer kids wore Converse. Funny how the value of things change.

While on a work trip in Kansas we ate at a drive-in that was established in 1948. Back then a cheeseburger was 25 cents. But the average income was $3,320 a year or $1.50 an hour. So, that cheeseburger was 15% of ones hourly wages. Today, that same cheeseburger is $3.79. This might seem more expensive. However, today's average income in that city is $63,000 annually or $30 per hour making that same cheeseburger only 12% of one’s hourly wages. So, today it is actually 3% cheaper than it was in 1948.

Again, isn’t it interesting how our perceptions of what is valuable change so easily and can be so misconstrued.

Yet, at the same time, we all have the nature to value material things that were either given to us or belonged to someone we loved dearly. We treasure them so much that we attach our eternal souls to them. Even though they may be material objects of no monetary value, they are a greater value to us. Why? Because they were tied to a person that we treasured.

What does this reveal about how we were created? It reveals that we were created to value one another and relationships far more than anything of material and temporal value in this earth. We were designed for eternal relationships. We were designed to treasure that which was created in the image of God and that which was given as a precious gift in family.

We were created for eternity. We were created to have relationship with that which is eternal. Your flesh is not eternal. Therefore, it value the temporal more than the eternal. Things of this world are not eternal. But your soul is eternal. The souls of others are eternal. God is eternal. The Christ is eternal. The Word of God is eternal. The Law of God, the church and the Kingdom of God are eternal.

We have generations who have grown up in a disposable culture. Nothing is sacred, nothing is sentimental, nothing is of lasting value. Everything is viewed as disposable to include marriage. You will treasure marriage relative to how much you truly treasure Christ.

But oh how we are so easily deceived by the flesh that we spend so much of our time and energy trying to acquire and achieve increased possession and positions in life for things that have no eternal value. Oh how so many so easily throw away relationships because they value their offenses, pride, ego, personal gain, fleshly desires or other fleshy things more than the person God may have very well put in their life.

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Even in the Garden of Eden, they were given an opportunity to choose which they valued most. Was it really a choice between a tree that would bring death or a tree that would bring eternal life? Or was it really about a choice between eternal relationship with the Father and eternal separation from the Father. Well, the result of their choice reveals the truth of the matter.

But Jesus gives us another parable that speaks of the plan of the Father to give us another opportunity to set our values back in the correct perspective.

Let’s look at two short parables Jesus shares that I believe really go together in Matthew.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Without getting too deep theologically, the bottom line up front here is that the Kingdom of Heaven represents being in the eternal presence and communion with God the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the great treasure that is found. The man does not cover it to hide it but to secure it. He intends full well to return and possess it indefinitely. But he places such a high value on it that he is willing to sell every material possession, every personal belonging, no matter the loss, so that he might own this field and gain this treasure. In fact, he rejoices about it. I would call this a life transforming treasure.

Again, Jesus gives us another parable very much like it.

Matthew 13:45–46 ESV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

We often read this and immediately our nature hears the word “pearl” and we default to something of monetary value. We immediately think Jesus must be talking about jewelry.

But there is another context in which the word pearl is used. Now I could go into the Greek and Hebrew and show you the etymological connections. But the what I really want you to get is not a Hebrew word but a concept that requires a call to action.

The other context in which the word “pearl” is used, is that of a “word of great value or a word of great wisdom” and is idiomatically called a “pearl of great price”.

Job 28:18 ESV

No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.

The Psalmist discovered the pearl of great price. So much so that he wanted to secure it and hide it where it could never be snatched away, but that his eternal soul would be bound to it.

Psalm 119:11–16 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

So what is the most valuable treasure in all of that which is created or eternal? What is that pearl of great price? Better yet, who is that pearl of great price?

John 5:39 ESV

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,

Now that you hopefully comprehend the concept, will you respond to the call to action?

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Have you somehow lost the joy of your salvation? Will you seek and serve Him with all your heart no matter the price? Do you value Jesus Christ above all else? He is more than just religious sentiment. He must be more than just a venue to personal gain. Is relationship with Jesus Christ your most valued of all gifts and possessions of your soul?