A Parable Explained: The Hidden Treasure Key Text "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. When I found the pearl of great price, I responded immediately. In today’s lesson, we’re learning about a famous parable that Jesus shared. With this parable, as with all the parables of Christ, the details are not to be stressed. Like the couplet of "The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven", in which a similar theme was found, there seems to be a theme common to these two parables 1) The theme of the earlier couplet was the "growth and The thought is to give ourselves to the God of creation so that our hands are empty of other things so that we are full of God. 28“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Androcles and the Lion). He takes the money he made selling his possessions, and he buys the pearl. Others see great value in the words of eternity, and they trade the stuff of the temporary world that they may hold onto the things of the unseen world. Martin G. Collins When we enter into covenant relationship with the God of the Universe, we disown ourselves from everything we have. We have more going for us than we might think, despite the spiritual battles we still have to fight. Jesus receives great joy from knowing that He is presently in the process of saving the firstfruits of God's Kingdom and will later do the same for the rest of humanity. A person does not come into the kingdom of God by the sweat of his brow by working hard to earn position or even by one’s knowledge of the topic of religion. This is not unusual. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! We do not know the value of the pearl of high price, but the merchant knew this to be the most significant deal of a lifetime, and he knew it would cost him much for this pearl. It is by knowing a person, the person of Christ. The second section consists of the next three parables: the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, and the Parable of the Dragnet. Looking for something slightly different? The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. These four parables describe the outward characteristics of the church, the working of the mystery of sin against the church, and the extent to which the Evil One is allowed to go in his opposition. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. The enemy of our souls (Satan) will keep us busy with all kinds of trivial and unimportant things in an attempt to distract and to keep us asleep to the things of God. Examples to consider include toys, electronics, expensive perfume, jewels, a house or car, valuable but old-looking antiques, snacks. This attitude is the heart of a man that pleases God, one with an inner resolve that nothing should prevent him from having a relationship with Christ. A pearl is created in nature by the oyster when an irritant such as a bit of sand enters the oyster’s shell. We can title the first section "Satan's Plan to Destroy the Church." I did not realize how this was to change my life. In both parables, the treasures are hidden, indicating that spiritual truth is missed by many and cannot be found by intelligence or power or worldly wisdom. Merchants could relate to illustrations from the business world that translated into spiritual principles. Some people do not want to consider. Guess what is true with the one who finds that pearl? That is why Jesus said. . Click here to discover all of the available series that group Bible Study offers free of charge! Even human-made religion with a careful system of do’s and don’ts can keep a person from laying hold of the truth in Christ. Jesus gave a second parable with a slightly different meaning for a reason: to give us encouragement. The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl. 44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. They were inspired by His Father in heaven, "[for] all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15), therefore "blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears, for they hear" (Matthew 13:16). The man in the parable of the hidden treasure was quite excited and full of joy at his find (Matthew 13:44). We are to take the main point of the story. This attitude is the heart of a man that pleases God, one with an inner resolve that nothing should prevent him from having a relationship with Christ. His attitude of joy in doing so shows the genuineness of His self-sacrifice for His treasure (Hebrews 12:2). We seek after that which we deem to be precious. I was a seeker. We were once hidden in the world by default because we were just like the world, but we were not hidden from God. All people have the same needs and long for the same things. The study is based on Jesus’ parable of the hidden treasure. I had researched the Spanish Armada ships sunk in the region, the gold bullion ship that went down somewhere along our coast, and the HMS Victory (the one before Nelson's Flagship) that went down with 100,000 Portuguese gold coins on board somewhere along our coast where I fished. 27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. From the point of giving our lives to Christ, we are managers of those things that we previously owned. What does that mean? All must go! Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Nothing should be as important to you as seeking to find the pearl of great value (Jesus). I know that this was indeed the case with me as you can imagine. The second section can be titled "God's Work on Behalf of the Church," what God does to make sure that Satan does not destroy the church. Perhaps, because he was afraid that someone else would offer a better deal to the pearl salesman. Again, it all comes down to the question, what do you value? A guy finds a treasure, buries it, goes and sells all of his … That in itself would change a good many things about his life. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). It was always my dream as a bottom–trawling fisherman on the East coast of England to come across one of the ships containing gold that sunk on the treacherous sandbanks that line the coastline of England. His method stands in sharp contrast to the involved and lengthy style of some Bible commentators. Notice the comment Matthew makes following the first section. The man in the parable sold everything that he had so that he might buy the field. In the matter of the elephant, I guess you could say I stumbled upon a treasure. It was the year before I became a Christian. Matthew 13:34 applies specifically to what Jesus had just said, but it also applies generally to all the parables. If I had found any of those ships with their treasure, it would be nothing compared to the spiritual treasure that I found in Christ. The Householder (verse 52) represents the work of the true minister and teacher who feeds the household of faith from a rich storehouse of essential spiritual treasures. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). He depends on his understanding of whatever commodity he is trading, and in this case, it is his knowledge of pearls. The parables can also be grouped into related pairs that illustrate the church's different characteristics: First Pair: The Sower (verse 3) represents the relationship of the church to the different groups of people with which it comes into contact while doing its work. They act as a prophetic summary of the historical development of God's church. Second Pair: The Mustard Seed (verse 31) represents the dynamic growth of the church from small beginnings even while adversaries confront it. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. The other is to see that it is about God seeking us. Amen! Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a treasure hidden in a field. Practices of the tongue can require time to overcome and bring to the cross. While I was on a long search through many countries looking for rest within my soul, I came across the pearl of great price, and I gave myself entirely to Him. Have you ever found money somewhere (not in your house)? The Tares (verse 24) represents the relationship of the church to the wicked one and his agents. It is immediately obvious that the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure are similar; they have a similar form and similar symbols. As he looked over what he had found, the man realized the value of his find and decided that he would hide it back in the earth again. 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. It is possible for us to hold certain things so tightly that we are not able to receive the things that God would give to us. The Pearl (verse 45) represents the preciousness of the church to Christ, who sacrifices everything to acquire it. However, there is another way to interpret the parable. Such is the pleasure of acquiring that pearl. . "This was an honest young man who very quickly realized that they belonged to someone who died on the glacier," said local gendarmerie chief Sylvain Merly. I studied Buddhism, Hinduism, and philosophy, and I finally heard the message of the Gospel. Jesus gave His all, the ultimate sacrifice—His own blood—His life—for us (John 3:16-17; Acts 20:28). Some Bible scholars have held this view, and that interpretation is a distinct possibility. What does He mean by giving up everything? Our society and our western culture places a high priority on entertainment and gives a place of honor to our entertainers, which is above the praise we give to any other group. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. A parable is not a fable, like those made famous by Aesop (e.g. It is hard to concentrate on thinking through a dilemma or problem, searching to find an answer. There are old habits that need to be gone! Nothing shall keep him from that pearl of high price. This search is universal. One has to work hard to find a hidden treasure, and in the same way, we have to work hard to find and understand God's truths. Today, it is so easy to be lulled to sleep through a world of fantasy. One day, you must leave this world, and if your focus in life is just on the field of this world rather than the treasure hidden, what will your last words be? Consequently, I found a fantastic inner rest to my soul that I knew was real. The man hides his treasure in the world. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? Was the man being unethical by what he did–why or why not? Acts 20:28 and John 3:16-17 show that the pruchase price for the field, the world, was His own blood—His all. Parables of a Hidden Treasure and a Valuable Pearl Story Overview:. To view more free Studies in this series, click here, 5. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46). He could scarcely believe his good fortune, for this remarkable pearl was unlike anything else he had seen. Mat 13:44-46 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. What the Bible says about Usually the eighth is combined with the seventh parable. Why a quick sale? A merchant trades knowledge for money. The parable has been depicted by artists such as Rembrandt Adam and Eve sinned. It is not the intent of this study to focus on just what is the kingdom of heaven, for that is a topic in itself; suffice it to say that the kingdom of God or heaven (the names are synonymous with one another in the Scriptures) is the rule and reign of God. Fourth Pair: The Dragnet (verse 47) teaches that the good and evil who intermingle on earth will be completely separated in the judgment. The divine transaction is to give your sins to Him, and He will clothe you with His righteousness. He knew who we were before we were called (Psalm 71:5-6; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:76; Romans 8:28-29; Galatians 1:15-16; II Timothy 2:19-21). 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. In this case, our broken lives for His eternal life. The Bible says that it is filthy rags anyway (Isaiah 64:6). What happened at the foundation of the world? The remaining four parables illustrate the inner characteristics of His church. Christ finds us and hides us again, and what is His reaction? The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that... Background. What the Bible says about Through friends that I met while there, I also met my wife, Sandy. You find out that God was behind your seeking all along, and you thank Him that He stayed with you, got your attention and caused you to want it above all else. Guess what is true with the one who finds that pearl? We exchange one thing for another. Bible Passage: Matthew 13:44-45 I traveled across thirty different countries on a search for truth. Get rid of anything that would keep you from laying hold of the eternal treasure. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). From the point of giving our lives to Christ, we are managers of those things that we previously owned. Everyone’s story is unique, but as for my quest for spirituality, I did not stumble upon the truth of God. The third section can be titled "The Ministry's Duty to the Church.". What Jesus spoke before verse 34 is primarily negative, not positive, and these negative things have been hidden from man since the foundation of the world. So it was God seeking us after all.”. It needs to be sold cheaply. Like the apostle Paul, the Lord would have us release our grip on the things of this world so that we may gain Christ. 45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46). The pearl of great price is also a treasure but there is a difference. 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Ritenbaugh parables of Matthew 13 contains Christ 's explanation of brow. Already been won, and his strength ; seek his face continually ( 1 6:19-20! First, he enters God 's kingdom than anything else he had and bought (... His use of parables, a man found and covered up his reaction the last four the!
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