Hidden Treasure
Jesus’ parables are incredible stories for His followers as they provide an easy way to remember His teachings. However, we have to remember to dig beyond just the everyday meaning to understand the Heavenly one, just like Jesus taught-
Matthew 11:15 | Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
This week’s parable is very short but very valuable. The Heavenly meaning is so important that Jesus teaches the same concept twice. Let’s check out the first-
Matthew 13:44a | The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field.
The field doesn’t belong to this man, so he can’t just take the treasure, even though he definitely wants it. So—
Matthew 13:44b | In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
This treasure is so valuable that the man gives up everything else he has to buy the field so that he can have the treasure.
The next two verses tell another version of this story with the same meaning. Jesus says-
Matthew 13:45-46 | “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
Again, the subject of the story, the merchant, sells everything for the pearl of great value.
The earthly versions of these stories is simple. But what about their heavenly meaning? Who is the man or the merchant and what is the significance of the treasure and the pearl?
If we’re not careful, we might think the man and the merchant are us. But before the Lord, what do we have to purchase or earn anything at all?
Instead, we’re the treasure or the pearl!! The buyer is Jesus Christ. Selling all He had didn’t mean Jesus lost out on worldly possessions - His sacrifice was far greater. He laid down Heaven, His privileges as God, and ultimately His life, shedding His blood to purchase us as His treasure (Philippians 2:6-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19). To Him, YOU were worth it.
The man in Jesus’ parable purchased the entire field so that he could have the hidden treasure. The field represents the world that we live in. How did Jesus do something similar for you?
According to Jesus’ parables, how important are you to Him?
What did purchasing you cost Jesus?
To Christ, you are worth it all, just like the hidden treasure and great pearl. Do you see yourself this way? Why or why not?
Do you value Jesus like He values you? Why or why not?