The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price – 5th September 2016

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…”(Matthew 13:44).

Jesus had just finished explaining to the disciples the meaning of the Parable of the Wheat and the weeds (Tares), and these two short parables are a continuance of His discussion of the “kingdom of heaven.” He expressed truths about the kingdom in three pairs of parables in Matthew 13 : 3-23 we find the Parable of the sower. In Matthew13:24-30 we find the parable of wheat and weeds . In Matthew 13: 31-32 we find the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast that is found in verse 33.

In addition we can also find the Parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13: 44 and the Parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew13: 45-46. The similarities of these two short parables make it clear that they teach the same lesson—the kingdom of heaven is of inestimable value. In the parable of the Hidden treasure, Jesus teaches that: “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”. This states that a man who found a valuable hidden treasure, and since he realized its value he carefully hid it safely. He then sold all what he had and with that money he bought that field.

Then again we can read about the Parable of the pearl of great price, Jesus teaches that: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew13: 45-46). This speaks of a man who was looking for “fine Pears” and when he found one of great value, he sold all what he had and went and bought it.

Both the above parables involve a person who sold all he had to possess something they valued and badly wanted to have it. The treasure and the pearl represent Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. As Christians we must clearly know that we cannot ‘buy’ one’s salvation. Although we may desperately want to have salvation, we cannot pay for salvation even by selling all our worldly goods much like the two men in the two parables. But when we have found our prized treasure, which represents Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers, we need to be willing to give up everything to possess it. Because we can learn that it is so much more valuable that it is comparable to trading an ounce of trash for a ton of diamonds. We can receive a great understanding from Philippians 3:7-9, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith”..

We can note that in both parables, the treasures are hidden, indicating that spiritual truth is missed by many and cannot be found through one’s intelligence or power or worldly wisdom. We can learn from 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, “No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory”. This passage makes it clear that the mysteries of the kingdom are hidden from some who are unable to hear, see, and comprehend these truths. Some cannot see the value of that the kingdom represents while some others may ignore learning or understanding same. But we can know that those who are disobedient will face consequences of their unbelief… which is spiritual blindness!. As Christians we can know that those of whose eyes are opened

by the Spirit do discern spiritual truth. Because much like the men in the parable, they understand its great value.

Notice that the merchant stopped seeking pearls when he found the pearl of great value. Eternal life, the incorruptible inheritance, and the love of God through Christ constitute the pearl which, once found, makes further searching unnecessary because he had got a most valuable pearl. Christ fulfills our greatest needs, satisfies our longings, makes us whole and clean before God, calms and quiets our hearts, and gives us hope for the future. The “great value,” stated in the Parable is that which was paid by Christ for our redemption. He emptied Himself of His glory, came to earth in the form of a lowly man and shed His precious blood on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.