Matthew 13:44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Today’s parables focus on the significance of the hidden treasure and the found pearl. Why are these newly discovered possessions so important to the men that they sell all they have for ownership of them? They must have realized these items were worth far more than all they owned; consequently, they gave up all their wealth and security to own them. What once was valuable to them now seemed worthless in comparison to the new-found wealth. Both parables point to finding Christ in a person’s life. When Christ and his precious worth is discovered by a man or woman, his or her former life seems worthless in comparison. The old life with all its important aspects is nothing in reference to experiencing the new life. The old creature with the deadness of the soul has lost all of its luster, attractiveness, and allure. The new treasure, the pearl of great price, Christ himself, brings a born-again life to the emptiness of the soul. The lifeless things of the old life are put aside as the born-again life begins to thrive. All that once was IMPORTANT in the old life is sold for the new life IN CHRIST. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Everything in the old life is counted as worthless compared to the wealth discovered IN CHRIST. The old life’s wealth is but a detriment to the new life. Christ says this wealth is cast off, claiming the new wealth composites everything needed for an abundant, everlasting life: get rid of the old and claim the new. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God IN CHRIST JESUS. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6:11-13) Compared to the pearl of great price or the treasure hidden, the old is shabby and worthless. The possessions once held so dear have lost their attractiveness, their luster, lacking relevance to the everlasting. Of course, Jesus in his shining glory, the everlasting Morning Star, outshines everything in existence. He abides in his glory in all those who trust him to be in their lives. He is the eternal satisfaction of the soul; therefore, we hook our aspirations onto the Morning Star. We are no longer finite and earth-bound, but heavenly as He is. Our love for the earth and the things of the earth dissipates, for we are looking for a place to abide forever. John encourages us to keep our eyes heavenly, not on this earth. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17) Knowing Jesus Christ is the will of the Father. The new creature will become an instrument of love, displaying God’s love for his created beings. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. (John 3:16)
Christians rejoice in this pearl of great price, in this treasure hidden in the field of life. We have found the answer to life, the wealth of trusting in Jesus Christ and his works. This mystery of knowing God’s redemptive plan for humankind was hidden from the beginning of time. Jesus tells his followers and the spiritual elite that in the past even though prophets, Jewish leaders, and kings searched fervently for the answer to life, they did not find it. Some of the prophets dedicated their lives to God and did everything for his glory, but the mysteries of God’s plan were hidden from the eyes and ears of mankind. Jesus said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. (Luke 10:22) The seventy-two disciples who went throughout Judea bringing the Good News to people realized even the demons were subject to them. Jesus tells them this power of salvation has come to you, but was hidden from the wise and the earnest throughout history. God’s plan was to bind the devil’s hand through the power of the Holy Spirit and to bring salvation to all of mankind through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This of course is the treasure of great price—worth everything. The Good News, the acceptance of Jesus Christ and his work for our position of rightness before God, is so wonderful that the old ways of thinking are sold off quickly. God’s plan of salvation was now open to all of mankind, not just to the few, as with the Jews. Yes, God gave his Son for the redemption of people everywhere. This mystery of eternal salvation was hidden from mankind for millenniums. Perfecting humans through Jesus’ finished work at the cross was beyond people’s imagination. The Spirit of God gave foreknowledge to some of the prophets of this plan of God, but none had a clear understanding of God’s whole plan. The treasure and the pearl are God’s work, not man’s. The valuable pieces had to be discovered by faith, not constructed by man’s efforts. The way to salvation through Christ’s shed blood is anathema to the rebellious nature of humans, for we want to construct our way to heaven through our own efforts. Probably this is why God hid his salvation plan from man, allowing generations to fail in their efforts to be perfect. But utopia is not man’s to build, but God’s responsibility, providing an eternal home for his redeemed creation.
Christ is the mystery of the ages—the treasure revealed, the plan of salvation: our Savior. History clearly highlights man’s innate rebellion, causing all manner of sins. Millions of people from the beginning of time have been cheated, enslaved, beaten, starved, and murdered. Sin envelops the nature of men, causing reprehensible actions against the logic of goodness, peace, and harmony. Mankind, always manifesting partisanship, hatred of others, self-willed ambition, and competitiveness, lacks the selflessness and humility to bring cohesiveness instead of hatred. Paul enumerated these discordant acts: The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) Obviously, the corrupt nature of man reveals a need for salvation, a new start, not just a rebuilding effort. Over centuries, man has tried to create paradise on earth. If man just had the right enlightenment, then he would be different—murder, exploitation, disharmony would cease. In a peaceful environment, people would learn to love and care for each other, working for the benefit of one another. Of course, all of these utopian ideas fail, usually ending in contentious factions. The treasure and the pearl of great price are not found through man’s efforts, but they are discovered in Jesus Christ, the Savior. He brings wisdom and knowledge, ALL TRUTH. When we behold his glory, we will sell everything to gain Christ. The old life becomes dim in the light of Jesus. We know this treasure is God’s plan, not ours; his effort, not ours. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) If Jesus, God’s treasure, is the gift for our lives, we must accept it with the joy it deserves. Jesus said the man sold all his possessions, then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. The merchant knew the value of this great pearl for he also sold everything he had and bought it. Selling all of his old things brought him great joy because now he possessed the beautiful pearl. Joy is an indication of how much understanding you have of the wonderful Good News. Joy measures how much faith you have in the knowledge that Jesus Christ has saved you and that He is now in control of your life. The Bible describes this feeling, saying, in Christ we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 Peter 1:8) Joy reflects our understanding that the Holy Spirit has come to abide in us and that God has made us his children. Consequently we can say, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) God has predestined those who trust in him to be in his image for eternity, known as his children with his likeness. Can we believe in our position in Christ with the fluctuations of our finite lives? Are we happy with God if things are good, unhappy with him if things are going bad? For the Christian, joy is embedded in the knowledge that God works out everything in our lives for the benefit of our eternal status. Does that mean God causes bad things in our lives? No, He does not construct evil, but He builds good for our everlasting existence. The treasure of Jesus Christ should bring great joy to us in our everyday lives even if we struggle, and we all will struggle at times. But we must hold onto the truth by deep faith that we are securely in God’s hands. If we truly acknowledge that, the singing in our hearts will not cease, the praises to God will not falter, for the joy of knowing that God is in control will fill our hearts with thankfulness. A great treasure is in our lives: JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
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