4/3/2020 – The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Passage: Matthew 13:44
Written By: Michael Mings – U of A Wesley Alumnus
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
“Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.”
— Captain Jack Sparrow
“X” marks the spot! This, of course, tops the list of “Things Pirates Say” (right there next to Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! and shiver me timbers). We might not have much experience as pirates, but we know exactly what a big red “X” means when we see it on a map. Buried treasure.
As today’s parable goes, Jesus tells of a man who uncovers buried treasure in a field. (We’re unsure as to whether or not this man was a pirate. Tangential details, folks). It almost seems needless to say, but Jesus tells his listeners that the man who found this treasure also found exceedingly great joy. This is a life changing moment.
We are all in search of something worth giving our lives to. It’s not hard to see that people will work long hours, suffer great hardships, and make costly sacrifices for the things they deem to be worth it. Some of the most frustrating times in our lives are those moments where we realize we gave more for something (more money, more time, more energy, etc.) than it was actually worth. The opposite also holds true as it is just as difficult to realize we didn’t give enough.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure serves us as a sort of a map on our search to find that worthy something. Allow me to explain. We are told that the man who finds this treasure sells everything in his possession so that he can take the treasure for himself. This treasure must have been truly valuable for the man to give all that he had and proudly exclaim of his exchange, “Worth it!”. Could it be that the Kingdom of God is the “X” on our search for what is truly worthy in life?
Jesus paid it all so that we, the children of God, might share in the treasure of our Father’s Kingdom. But there is a cost for us also. And yet what we forfeit today cannot be compared to the value of what there is to be gained. May God grant us eyes to behold the great value of his Kingdom, and the courage to take it no matter the cost.