Parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price.
The parables of the treasure hunters.
Matt.13 :44-46
I'm afraid that we have made Jesus into a gentle founder of the Christian faith, whose sweet words offer comfort to the distressed and whose death provided forgiveness for our sins. We have also watered down the message of Jesus and we have lost its radical call for discipleship and commitment and for giving our all to obtain an infinitely costly Kingdom.
In this study we'll consider the two short parables that will help us hear the costliness of the Kingdom..
"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."(Matthew 13:44)
"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."(Matthew 13:44-46)
These parables are related to each other, not only because they build off each other, but also because Jesus did not give these parables to the multitudes. Jesus spoke them only to His disciples. Matthew 13:36 says, “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.” Jesus then explained that parable, But then, staying in the house with His disciples, Jesus gave four more parables that were meant only for them.
Today, we can store treasure in the bank or in a safe deposit box. But in Jesus' day, burying treasure was an extremely common way of safeguarding it. One's treasure might be stolen by thieves or plundered by foreign invading armies. But if it were hidden skillfully, rarely it be detected.
But people often died in such invasions or died without disclosing the location of the treasure to a relative. In that case, a hoard of coins or jewels buried in a pottery jar might be discovered later that would make its finder rich. Today people dream of getting rich by winning the lottery, but ancient literature is full of stories of people finding buried treasure and becoming fabulously wealthy. Jesus' story along this theme would have captured the imagination of his listeners.
In Jesus' story, a man found the treasure in a rural field. Perhaps he was employed as a laborer and his plow hit the container. Or perhaps erosion had uncovered a portion of the treasure. We just don't know.
But when the man finds the treasure he is overcome with joy. He buries the treasure again so that no one else can find it. Then he sells everything he has and buys the field.
There are two keys to understanding this parable:
1. "In his joy..."and
2. "sold all he had and bought that field."
In the parable, the man's joy is in his good fortune of finding a huge treasure hoard that will make him rich for life. Anything he spends to gain legal right to that treasure is worth it, since the value is so exceedingly much greater. The emphasis here is on the importance of parting with everything he had and own in order to obtain something inestimably greater. This is not a parable about buying salvation, but the incredible value of salvation that far surpasses any amount a man might be able to scrape together to try to acquire it.
While the subject of the Parable of the Hidden Treasure is a man who scrapes up enough money to purchase a piece of land, the subject of the next parable is a wealthy man.
"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."(Matthew 13:44-46)
He is called a "merchant ." He specialized in searching for and acquiring fine pearls, which he would then sell to retailers. He was doubtless a wealthy man who was used to spending and receiving large sums of money.
Pearls were highly valued in ancient times. This was before the time of cultured pearls, so pearls were not plentiful. They were regarded as precious stones in antiquity, taken by divers from the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. Pearls were used for necklaces and other ornaments, and could be extremely costly, so the word "pearl" came to be a figure of speech for something of supreme worth. Thus when the pearl merchant in Jesus' parable finds one "pearl of great price"(KJV), "great value"(NIV, NRSV), he leaves the potential seller of this priceless pearl, liquidates all his assets down to the last penny -- "sold everything he had"-- and then rushes back to buy the wonderful pearl that has enchanted him.
These twin parables are absent from the other Gospels. These are twin parables which teach about the value of the kingdom of God and the joy of finding it. Let’s take a look at them:
We may question the ethics of the man's purchase without disclosing the treasure to the owner, but ethics weren't Jesus' point. It's quite possible that the original owner of the treasure had died decades or centuries before.
But none of that is Jesus' point.
Buying the land before extracting the treasure ensured no one else could claim it. In the parable there is no mention of the man doing anything wrong, and also the parable isn’t addressing ethics.
Jesus’ message, embedded in these two word pictures, would likely have resonated with a variety of listeners. Many people would have easily identified with the man who found the treasure in the field The fact that selling all he had yielded enough to purchase the property showed that he wasn’t destitute. He wasn’t expecting to find something valuable; he wasn’t even treasure hunting. In the course of his normal day, he wouldn’t have expected to find something of such value. Most likely many who heard this parable would have related to him, and of course would have loved to find themselves in that situation.
The second man’s story related to a different audience, such as those who were in business. Someone with a profession such as his would have likely traveled to where pearls were sold. He was purposely looking for pearls, and he found one that surpassed all he had seen before. He clearly had to have some wealth to be in the pearl business to begin with, and the price of this pearl required his selling all that he had in order to purchase it. Anyone in business in Jesus’ audience could relate to the hope of striking it rich through taking a financial risk and coming out on top.
The idea of stumbling across a hidden treasure and taking the necessary risks to acquire it makes for an exciting story. These stories were attention-grabbers, and stirred up thoughts about the joy of discovering untold riches.
But He was not addressing the people here only the disciples.
While the means of coming across these valuable items were different—one was unexpectedly found, and the other diligently searched for—both men had to take decisive action to acquire them. Discovering the treasures wasn’t the whole story—they had to sell, and then buy, and it was only through these actions that they came into possession of these valuables. In both parables, the men were faced with unique opportunities which required major action lest the opportunity be lost. Making this decision and taking the risk would change their lives.
What are the points being made through these parables? Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like someone who has found something of great value and takes a risk in order to obtain it. There is excitement in the discovery, an awareness of its value, and an understanding of the high cost required to obtain it. Because of its value, and the joy of possessing it, it is worth selling all to secure it. Entering the kingdom of God through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, becoming a child of God, and having His Spirit dwelling in us, is both exciting and valuable. Finding the kingdom is finding treasure that is worth whatever the cost. The two men in the parables sold everything to obtain the field and the pearl; but their selling everything to obtain a valuable treasure, and experience the joy of acquiring it, was more than worthwhile. Likewise, the kingdom of God is worth giving everything for. The steep cost should be seen in light of the incalculable gain.
As the apostle Paul said:
Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Phil. 3:4
Knowing Christ, being part of God’s kingdom, is to be valued above all. The concept of selling all that one has to obtain it portrays the truth that no cost is too great when it comes to gaining the kingdom; entering the kingdom is worth giving up everything else. While living a life with God at its center costs, the eternal joy and the immeasurable value of being part of the kingdom is well worth it.
"The kingdom of heaven is like ..." Jesus is teaching us something about the kingdom of heaven. Matthew is the only one who uses the phrase "kingdom of heaven." The other Gospels use the phrase "kingdom of God." There is no difference in meaning between the two phrases.
Before we go any further we need to define what we are talking about . What is the kingdom of heaven? What is the kingdom of God? Both phrases refer to God's dominion in Christ, to God's kingly rule in Christ. God's kingly rule in Christ is eternal. It covers the entire world and all of the nations and powers of the world. This rule is recognized only by God's people and is contested by unbelievers and the powers of darkness. There will come a day, however, when all nations and all peoples will recognize and submit to God's rule.
In one way, then, we can say the kingdom of heaven is future. In another way we can say it is a present reality. We can sum this up by saying the rule of God is a present reality that will be fully realized and recognized when Jesus returns.
A man finds a treasure. An unexpected treasure. We don't know what it was. But whatever it was, it was precious, it was valuable. It was precious and valuable enough that he sold everything he had in order to buy the field. You don't do something like that at the drop of a hat. You don't turn all your assets into cash on a whim. You don't sell your home and your business and your car and your wife's diamond ring and your furnishings and your kid's bikes and computers without giving this very careful thought. But this man did that.
The man of our parable was willing to do whatever it takes to obtain the treasure for himself. The man of our parable was so enraptured by the treasure that it had to be his. The man of our parable was so filled with joy at the sight and thought of the treasure that he gave up everything for it.
How do you respond to the kingly rule of Jesus? How do you respond to the kingdom of heaven? How do you respond to the kingdom that seeks you and finds you and pays a big price for you?
The demand of the kingdom of heaven is total. We are called upon to give up everything for King Jesus. Let me quote Jesus to tell you what is required:
(Mat 5:29) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
(Mat 10:37-39) Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; (38) and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (39) Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Mat 19:21) "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Our devotion to the kingdom, to the kingly rule of Jesus, is to be so great that we would rather lose an eye or a hand than sin. Our devotion to the kingdom is to be so great that our love even for our family is to be as nothing compared to our love for the kingdom. Our devotion to the kingdom is to be so great that we are willing to renounce everything and everyone.
Of course, if you have not seen the treasure of the kingdom these demands are far too great. The price is way too high. But for those who have been found and bought by King Jesus, their joy is so great that they will renounce everything – as much as they have – for the sake of the kingdom.
In Jesus’ parables, notice that the “treasures” were in places where anyone could have “found” them – the “treasure hidden in a field” was apparently found “by accident;” and “the pearl of great value” was found by a merchant searching.
Jesus, speaking to those who refused “the treasure / the pearl of great value” says: “You search the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life!” (John 5:39-40)
Jesus is telling us, in no uncertain terms, that the kingdom is very valuable. It is also, apparently, very accessible. The man who found the treasure did not travel to a far away galaxy. He didn’t change his situation. He went about his day and, to his surprise, dug up the treasure.
A field is something we take for granted. We pass by them all the time, and we give almost no thought to what’s inside. The kingdom of God is like that. It’s always around but seldom on our mind. In these parables, Jesus is bringing the Kingdom of God to the forefront of our mind. He’s telling us what it’s like and how important it is.
At this point, some would say the parables are about the cost of discipleship. Jesus is, after all, talking to his disciples, having left the crowds and entered a house (v. 36). I believe there is much to be said about following Jesus from this parable, but I do not believe that “ the cost of discipleship” is Jesus’s primary concern. His focus is on the Kingdom of God. That includes discipleship, but something must happen before you give your life to Christ.
You have to find something, and that’s what Jesus is telling us about here: what it’s like to find. Finding comes before life-giving. When we find a treasure like God’s Kingdom, the cost to follow becomes insignificant. This means the parable isn’t so much about what we’re willing to give up to gain the kingdom but that the kingdom is so valuable that we are willing to give up everything to gain it. That may sound the same, but in a world at war with God, coming under his rule is not like paying dues to the country club. It’s more like suffering the abuse of the world.
Paul puts it this way in Philippians 3:7-8, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Those aren’t the words of a man who lost anything. He found something worth every thing he had . This parable is not about losing. This parable is about gaining.
The Kingdom of God is less about location and more about rule. Who reigns over your life? Whoever it is, that’s whose kingdom you live in. Because of this, the Kingdom of God is a kingdom that costs you everything and nothing. It costs you everything—you’re completely changed, altered from the inside out. It costs you nothing—the price has already been paid. Let me explain.
The Kingdom of God costs you everything because, when you find it, you have to change your whole lifestyle . Your life is radically changed. Your loves are altered. Your purpose is different.
The Kingdom of God costs you nothing because Jesus paid the price to give it to you. He gave you the right to be called a child of God (John 1:12). Now, because of him, it's your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
This parable has been misunderstood from time to time. Some think it’s telling us we can purchase the kingdom. They use it to preach works righteousness. That’s not what Jesus is saying. Throughout, the Bible talks about the free gift of grace (Romans 5:15). Isaiah called out to God’s people, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1). What Jesus accomplished on the cross was not only salvation from sin. It was also the entrance into the Father’s house. He paid the price on our behalf. All we do is stumble into it like a man digging in a field.
Gaining the Kingdom doesn’t cost us anything. Receiving the Kingdom costs us everything. And it’s a happy trade-off. Everything we’ve ever longed for is inside. In his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Both parables show 2 men finding something worth more than everything they have. But their circumstances are different. Why does Jesus use these two men? One reason is because these two parables show us two ways people find the kingdom of God. One way is totally surprising. The kingdom appears in a flash, unexpectedly. Another way is less surprising. The merchant is looking for something valuable; he just had no idea he could find something this valuable. Both ways transform their lives.
Do you know what’s so amazing about both of these parables? The man found a treasure in a field. How many others walked by that field without thinking anything of value could be hidden there? The man who purchased the pearl bought it from someone. Why could no one else see its value? Jesus is telling us the spiritual truth we’re looking for is here, in this world, around us now. All we need is the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Here is Jesus, God incarnate, bringing God’s word about God’s kingdom of God’s grace to earth. He’s surrounded by so many but not all can recognize him. He’s telling us not to miss out. Pay attention.
Jesus is telling us the kingdom of God is something like finding a treasure in a field or a pearl worth everything we own. But the truth is, the kingdom of God is better than either of those things, or both of those things combined. The Kingdom of God, as Jesus describes, is far better than we could ever imagine. The question for us is, do we see it that way?
Here are three things that the Kindgom of God means:
1. The rule of Jesus Christ on earth
2. The blessing and advantages that flow from living under Christ’s rule
3. The subjects of this kingdom, or the Church
Just how important was the understanding and of the Kingdom of God? John the Baptist used it often as he called for “repent, for the kingdom of God is near” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus Christ himself not only said “the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe” (Matthew 4:17) but he also used it when teaching his disciples how to pray “your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10) , in the Beatitudes “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 and 10), and at the Last Supper “I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25).
I think this interpretation is the plain meaning that Jesus intended for his disciples. While you cannot purchase your salvation, its value above all other things will cause the true disciple to give all to follow Jesus. This meaning is consistent with Jesus’ teaching and the example of God-followers throughout Scripture.
Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26
Noah gave up his reputation to build a huge Ark in obedience to God.
At age 80, Abraham left his hometown and lifestyle to follow God. He surrendered everything to follow Him wherever he led.
Moses turned his back on the riches of Egypt as Pharaoh’s son. “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees Him who is invisible.” (Heb. 11:26 -27)
All the Old Testament prophets forsook a comfortable life in obedience to God, facing persecution and, in many cases, death.
Peter, James, and John left their father and families, along with their fishing nets to become fishers of men with Jesus.
Matthew gave up his lucrative tax-collecting business to become a man of integrity in following Jesus.
The Apostle Paul, like the pearl merchant, was a zealous Pharisee pursuing God in his quest for legalistic perfection when Jesus met him on the Damascus Road. In the book of Philippians, Paul lists all of his significant accomplishments and then, turning his back on them, declares “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ…For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).
You see, in these parables, Jesus is explaining the kingdom of heaven. In this kingdom God owns everything. He rules over everything. That is why it is necessary for those who wish to follow Jesus to give up their lives for his sake. And yet, today, this radical idea is often far from what we practice as Christians. We speak of “giving our lives to Christ” but we often consider our faith simply as a “value-added commodity” that simply adds a religious and seemingly self-righteous element to our life. We go to church and act like nice people. We expect God to take us to heaven when we die. But if we were to be honest, Christ is not really the center of our life. We haven’t really given up all for him. That’s not the gospel that Jesus taught in this parable to his disciples. This is a modern gospel of convenience. In the end, it leaves the person just as empty as if he never really found Christ.
Today, Jesus, in these parables calls you and me to a place of radical commitment. To put it simply, “Are you all in?” Both men in the parables sold everything. What would you give up for the kingdom of God?
Jesus said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 10:39)
