Hidden Treasures and Precious Pearls! Matthew 13:44-56

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. 

"Probably no parable in the whole series came more home to the imagination of the disciples than this. Every village had its story of men who had become suddenly rich by finding some hidden hoard that had been hastily concealed in time of war or tumult. Then, as now, there were men who lived in the expectation of finding such treasures, and every traveller who was seen searching in the ruins of an ancient town was supposed to be hunting after them. As far back as the days of Solomon such a search had become a parable for the eager pursuit of wisdom." (Ellicott)

The treasures of life, the gospel, eternal life, and the free grace of God we receive in Christ Jesus are often hidden to people.  They pass right over the treasure even if it is in their back yard.  

When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

We don't know how the man found the treasure, but right away he realized it was priceless.  He was so joyful he sold all of his possessions to buy the land containing the treasure.  Many commentators believe the treasure to be the gospel.  The gospel was hidden from the Jews though all the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament should have helped them to recognize the treasure when Jesus cave to them.  But they were looking for a different kind of treasure.   But for those who received and believed in the gospel of Jesus, they realized it was far more precious than any earthly thing.  They had no problem getting rid of all temporal means to obtain that which was eternal. 

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 

"Here again the illustration would commend itself to the thoughts of the fishermen of Galilee. The caprices of luxury in the Roman empire had given a prominence to pearls, as an article of commerce, which they had never had before, and have probably never had since. They, rather than emeralds and sapphires, were the typical instance of all costliest adornments." (Ellicott)

The difference between this parable and the one above is that in this case the man was looking for the pearls.  

"They are valuable on account of their beauty and because they are rare. The value of them is greatly increased by their size. The meaning of this parable is nearly the same as the other. It is designed to represent the gospel as of more value than all other things, and to impress on us the duty of sacrificing all that we possess in order to obtain it." (Barnes)

46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The man's response was that when he found what he was searching for, like the man in the other parable, he sold everything he had and bought it.  We often call this the "Pearl of Great Price"! 

"The one pearl of great price, instead of being found by accident, as in the former case, is found by one whose business it is to seek for such, and who finds it just in the way of searching for such treasures. But in both cases the surpassing value of the treasure is alike recognized, and in both all is parted with for it." (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown)

Did you go seeking the Gospel, or did you discover it by accident?  When you found it how did you respond?  Did you realize the treasure you had received?  Why do you think the men in both parables sold everything to obtain the treasure in the field and the pearl in the oyster?  Are you trying to keep the treasure of the gospel to yourself, or are you offering it to others who would seek it or find it by accident?  Are you still willing to give up anything for the sake of the gospel?  What would that mean for you today?