THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE [Mt. 13:44]
Beginning at this parable, Jesus apparently told the last trio of stories only to His 12 disciples (Mt. 13:36). This fifth lesson the Lord told by Gennesaret's lake focuses on the real worth of heaven's kingdom...a worth so priceless one will forfeit any and everything to possess it.
Both this parable and the one that follows it (The Parable of the Pearl) center on something of great value, and the undeterred efforts of those involved to obtain it. Yet, there is a difference...in the Parable of the Pearl, the merchant is searching the world over for the "perfect pearl." In the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the man is not looking for treasure, but happens to come upon such a "goldmine." Upon finding such treasure, he immediately decides to sell off all he owns so that he may purchase the field containing the booty. Such decisive action (selling all !?!?) must have opened him up to immense ridicule. Imagine the looks and comments from his friends, neighbors, etc. when all his worldly belongings went up on the auction block. How stupid he must have seemed to everyone else. Do you think he cared? Why should he when he knew what he had found was worth more than he was selling, even a hundred times more.
Such a scenario aptly describes those who come to the kingdom "by accident." Perhaps it would be more correct to say "by providence." We do not mean nor imply one can accidently become a disciple of Jesus Christ. However, many a sinner has become a saint when they were just going about life's ordinary chores and duties and have come into contact with the pure gospel of Christ without looking to find it. Upon such an exposure, they see its worth and make such a decision to obtain this great treasure.
The kingdom of heaven is not valuable because of those in it, but is worth all the world, and more, because of Him who rules over it. It is worth all a man owns and every relationship he ever will have (Mt. 10:37-39; cp. 19:16-22). When one finds this treasure in Christ, he truly knows what he has found...that "...joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:6-9).
