The Value of the Kingdom

Introduction:

What do you value the most in your life? If you had just minutes to decide what to take and what to leave behind, what would make the cut?

Consider the heartbreaking stories coming out of California, where wildfires have swept through neighborhoods, leaving devastation in their wake. Families have had to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. In these moments of crisis, people are forced to make split-second decisions about what to take and what to leave behind. This situation, while tragic, can help us understand the urgency and importance of the question Jesus poses in the parables: What do we truly value?

Jesus confronts us with that same question in today’s parables, challenging us to evaluate what we treasure most in life. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl reveal the immeasurable worth of the Kingdom of God—and, by extension, Christ Himself.

Context of the Parables

To understand these parables, we must step into the cultural context of first-century Palestine.

In a land frequently invaded and devastated by war, burying treasure was common. People would hide their valuables—coins, jewels, or other treasures—in jars and bury them in the ground, intending to retrieve them later.

Over time, those buried treasures were forgotten, waiting to be rediscovered.

Now Jewish law at the time was clear: if a man found treasure among loose corn, it belonged to him if he bought the corn. Similarly, if he found treasure buried in the soil, he could claim ownership if he also owned the field. This legal backdrop would have made Jesus' parable instantly relatable to His audience.

Jesus paints the image of a day laborer who unexpectedly uncovers a buried treasure while working in a field. Overwhelmed by its value, he sells everything he owns to buy the field and secure the treasure.

Likewise, the merchant in the second parable actively seeks fine pearls. When he finds one of incomparable worth, he sells all he has to acquire it. Both parables point to the Kingdom of Heaven’s surpassing value—worth any sacrifice, worth everything.

The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

The man in the parable represents those who stumble upon the Kingdom, perhaps unexpectedly. He wasn’t looking for treasure, but when he found it, his immediate response was not just action, but joy. This joy is a testament to the transformative power of discovering Christ in our lives.

The treasure buried in the field symbolizes Christ and the salvation He offers. It signifies something hidden yet waiting to be discovered, like the glory of God’s rule.

Also Discovering Christ is a life-altering moment that demands a response.

Notice the man’s attitude—he sells everything in joy. Proper understanding of the Kingdom brings joy, even when it requires sacrifice.

The Costly Pearl (Matthew 13:45-46)

Unlike the laborer, the merchant is actively seeking something of value. He represents those who are seeking truth and meaning.

A pearl, in the ancient world, was a sign of beauty, rarity, and extravagance. Its value points to the aesthetic and transcendent quality of the Kingdom of Heaven—it’s not merely functional but delightful and glorious.

Like the man in the treasure parable, the merchant sells everything, indicating the exclusivity and singularity of the Kingdom. It shows us that the Kingdom of God demands complete allegiance and prioritization over all other values.

My banner will be clear

We cannot be filled with the Spirit until we are prepared to yield ourselves to be led by the Lord Jesus to forsake and sacrifice everything for this pearl of great price.

Andrew Murray

Some people find Christ through a long and intentional search for truth. The merchant’s quest is a reminder that seeking the Kingdom is not just a pursuit, but a noble one. It inspires us to continue our own journeys of faith and understanding.

What Do We Value Most?

These parables beg the question: What do we value most? Is it worth the cost?

The scriptures warn in Romans 1:18 that God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Our world is filled with warnings—natural disasters, societal breakdowns, personal crises—all pointing to the consequences of sin. Yet, in Christ, we are offered salvation, eternal joy, and peace.

How much do we value our life in Christ? Do we treasure Him enough to let go of our sins, distractions, and lesser loves?

The man selling all to buy the field and the merchant trading everything for the pearl point to the cost of salvation—not as something earned by works but as a total reorientation of life. It is a sign of repentance and faith, emphasizing that salvation requires the surrender of lesser values to embrace the ultimate one.

Jesus spoke more about Hell than anyone else in the Bible. He described it as outer darkness, a fire that never goes out, and a place of eternal torment. Hell is the ultimate separation from God, the source of all goodness, and it is a fate for all who reject Him.

Lost person can I ask you a simple question, What in Hell do you want?

It’s a question we must ask of ourselves and others who cling to the fleeting things of this world instead of receiving the eternal gift of salvation. Why would anyone hold onto something that ultimately leads to separation from God, eternal torment, and unspeakable suffering?

Hell is a place where the presence of God is completely absent. Every good and perfect thing we experience in this life—love, peace, joy, even the common grace of creation—is from God. In Hell, all that is stripped away.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 says, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”

Hell is not a party or a gathering of sinners enjoying camaraderie. Jesus described it as outer darkness (Matthew 22:13), a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. The fire is unquenchable (Mark 9:43), and the worm does not die (Mark 9:48).

It’s not just physical torment but emotional, spiritual, and mental agony, as people are fully aware of their rejection of God and the eternal consequences of their choice.

Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Satan does not rule in Hell; he suffers there. It’s a place of punishment for all rebellion against God, and no one, including the devil, has any authority or relief there.

The California fires, as devastating as they are, are but a shadow of the eternal fire described in scripture. We must take seriously the warning to value Christ now, for the consequences of neglecting Him are eternal.

The hymn we’ll sing later, “I Surrender All,” is a powerful expression of the call of these parables. It invites us to reflect on what it means to follow Christ and to surrender our whole selves—our dreams, ambitions, and possessions—because in Him, we gain everything.

Invitation to Examine Our Values

As we prepare for Holy Communion, I challenge you to examine what you treasure most.

Do you value your walk with Christ above all else?

Have you truly surrendered everything to Him?

If not, today is the day to reevaluate and respond.

Communion is a moment to reflect on the treasure we have in Christ. His broken body and shed blood are the price He paid to secure our salvation. He gave everything for us—are we willing to give everything for Him?

Conclusion:

Jesus is the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price. He is worth any sacrifice or cost because He is not just a treasure but the ultimate treasure. He is the source of eternal life, joy, and peace. Let us live as people who have found this treasure and value Him above all else, finding reassurance and comfort in His presence.

As we come to the Lord’s Table, let us recommit to treasuring Christ with our whole lives. When we truly seek the Kingdom of God first, we find that He is all we need.