Here are today’s parables, straight from the heart of Jesus.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Matthew 13:44-46
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Matthew 13:44
In this parable, the man discovers treasure hidden in a field. He buries the treasure again, sells all that he owns and buys the entire field, which of course includes the treasure.
But have you ever wondered if what the man did was ethical? Well, according to Hebrew law, he did nothing wrong. He followed the rabbinic law. As long as the treasure was not inside the owner’s home, the man could claim the treasure.
Conversely, if the man had just taken the treasure without legally purchasing the land, that would have been unethical.
But all of the extra meanings that we add to the parables of Jesus are unnecessary.
The parables are meant to illustrate specific lessons. This parable is not about the legal ownership of earthly treasure.
The real message is simple to those who have spiritual sight.
Jesus is the treasure. There was a cost for the Savior when He purchased our redemption. And there is a cost to every believer. The cost for you and me is not an attempt to purchase our salvation; it’s about choosing to leave our old lives behind and follow Christ.
Not only do devoted believers begin living differently, but we also actually love living for the Savior.
Even when life is challenging, when we have the treasure of Christ Jesus living within our hearts, our peace and joy are sure. Our contentment in Jesus is not dependent upon our circumstances.
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
The Pearl of Great price is also a parable about finding the treasure of Jesus.
…whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:8
The Kingdom of Heaven is within the heart of every believer.
In this parable, the man who discovered the pearl of extraordinary worth quit hunting for other pearls of lesser quality. He knew he had found everything when he discovered this pearl. He sold all that he owned and bought the Pearl of Great Price.
The Kingdom of Heaven is only perceived when our spiritual eyes are opened. It cannot be known by our physical senses. People who reject Christ cannot understand such things. (2 Corinthians 3:14)
We are redeemed because God pursues us first. Then when we accept His invitation to have faith and believe. Finally, we will truly know how marvelous this Treasure is. We would never initiate the search. (1 John 4:19 & Romans 2:4)
Devoted believers would rather indulge in the gift of God than to pursue things of this earth. ( Philippians 3:7-9)
True Christ followers know the cost of following Jesus is worth every moment.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Matthew 16:24-26
I hope that you are each discovering the beautiful treasure of Jesus in these parables. Study them and pray for the Spirit to reveal their meaning to your heart.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
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