The Parables Of The Hidden Treasure And Pearl Of Great Price
By Denise Bowman
“Why do you speak to them in parables?” The disciples of Jesus had just heard Him teach the multitudes, a crowd large enough that Jesus taught from a boat while the people stood on the shore. Matthew 13 shares that, “He spoke many things to them in parables” (vs. 3). After the crowds depart, the disciples want to know why Jesus chose to teach using common, familiar situations and contexts to reveal spiritual truths about the kingdom of God. Jesus’s answer is that those who hear and truly want to know can understand what God expects of His citizens. But to those who are dull of hearing, these stories will just be stories, as Isaiah had prophesized long ago. It was essential for the disciples, in particular, to understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (vs. 11), because they were going to be taking the good news to the world.
Jesus shared several short parables concerning the kingdom, including these two parables:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt 13: 44-46).
What can we learn from these parables?
First, notice that both these men were busy with life. We don’t know why the first man was digging in a field that was not his, but most likely he was working for the owner in some regard. He was not looking for nor expecting to find a treasure that day. The second man made his living buying and selling pearls. He was searching for the best of the best on a daily basis. How do people come in contact with the kingdom? For some, it is unexpected—a conversation, an invitation, a chance encounter. They are not seeking this treasure but now have discovered it. Others are actively searching for the kingdom. They know it is out there and are determined to find it. Are we creating opportunities for others to find the kingdom? Are we examples of kingdom citizens in our words, our kindness, and our actions? Our light should shine so that others can see Jesus, whether they are intentionally looking for Him at that moment or not.
Secondly, both the men in these parables recognized the value of what they had found. Whatever the treasure was, hiding it was not enough for this man in the first parable. It was so valuable, he didn’t even go and offer to buy the treasure—he bought the whole field, to ensure there was no doubt about the ownership of the treasure! The pearl merchant was an expert in pearls. He knew his business. When he found THE pearl, he knew how extraordinary it was. Do we see the value of God’s kingdom? Do we know the truth well enough to recognize it when we see it, or are we “carried about by every wind of doctrine”? (Eph. 4:14). Our world is filled with much falsehood, and watered-down, fluffy sayings that sound really good. We need to be able to tell the difference, and value the truth so much that nothing but the real thing will do.
Did you notice the urgency in these accounts? When the first man found the treasure, he hid it, but he didn’t leave it there indefinitely. His joy was such that he wasted no time before buying it. The pearl merchant didn’t see that pearl and then wait a day or two before deciding if he should acquire it. He didn’t want to miss this opportunity, so he did what was necessary in short order. So, what about us? Do we feel any urgency about securing our place in God’s kingdom? We can be so distracted about life and all the decisions and struggles involved in the day-to-day, that we don’t prioritize the treasure. God has promised that judgment day is coming, and it is impossible for God to lie. If we are not a part of God’s kingdom, and we are not living every day in His service, judgment is going to bring severe consequences. It will come as a “thief in the night” (I Thess. 5:2), so each of us need to make sure that we are ready every day. There should be a sense of urgency about being right with the Lord.
Finally, there was in each of these parables, a price. Both men went and sold all that they had so that the treasure and the pearl could be theirs. Are we being told to go and sell all our worldly possessions in exchange for a place in the kingdom? Since parables are stories about life on earth that should teach us about spiritual life, the message here is not about our bank accounts. The fact is that Jesus has already paid the ultimate price for us—and what a cost! “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). We should join with Paul when he said, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (II Cor. 9: 15). However, just like the men in our parables, knowing that the treasure and the pearl are available is not enough. What cost is required for me to be part of His kingdom? Everything. All of me. I must be completely His. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matt. 16:24) When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He replied, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37-38). If we are going to be faithful members of the Lord’s kingdom, we must hand over our lives to Him, following His commandments, demonstrating His love, cultivating His attitudes, submitting our will to His.
A treasure beyond description can be ours—a home in heaven with our God who loves us and Jesus who died for us. Are we searching for and sharing it? Do we see its value? Are we willing to do something about it today? Will we give ourselves wholly to the Lord? One thing we know for sure...it will be worth the cost.
“Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving, every day.
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all get to heaven,
We’ll sing and shout the victory.”
(When We All Get to Heaven by Eliza J. Hewitt)