TEXT: Matthew 13:44-46
Background
Jesus continues the teaching of the Kingdom
of God described by a series of parables. In this third pair of parables, Jesus
gives another characteristic of the Kingdom of God that every person should
see, or they will miss the wonderful truth about it. In the second pair of
parables (mustard seed and leaven), the size conceals its greatness, but, at
the end its greatness is made visible as noonday. The greatness of the Kingdom
of God may not be visible to some, but, to those with whom the Lord reveals its
greatness, they will see not only its greatness, but also its worth that is
unequalled. Not even close. This pair of short parables
discloses the greatest treasure ever.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of
Great Value
Plot
Scene 1 - The Discovery of the Thing with
Great Value
In this scene of the Parable of Hidden
Treasure, Jesus emphasizes two significant actions, the discovery and the
reburial of the treasure. In the story, it is obvious that there is an
accidental discovery of the treasure in a certain field. Jesus does not give
any information, whether the man who had found the treasure is a tenant, or a
laborer, or simply an outsider. The only information that is available is the
fact that the field is owned by someone because the man who had found it bought
it. After the discovery, the man buried the treasure again. The question is,
"Why did he bury the treasure again?" Jesus definitely does not teach
here covetousness or greediness. He is trying to explain that there is
something in the treasure that the man has found.
In the second parable, the story begins
with a merchant who is on his way looking for fine pearls. A merchant is not
only good in buying and selling things in order to make a profit, but also, he
is good in examining the value of a certain thing like piece of jewelry, coins,
and other things. For this reason, Jesus used a merchant in his parable. On his
way he finds one pearl. Jesus describes this pearl as one of great value. The
merchant knows that the pearl he found is not fake. In addition, he knows it
has a great value, priceless pearl that nothing can equal it.
Scene 2 - The Desire for the Thing with
Great Value
Jesus highlights the actions of the man and
his emotions towards what he had been experiencing that very moment. There is
no other feeling that is flowing out in man's heart other than exceeding joy
when he discovered the treasure. First, the man goes from the field. The word
"go" gives the idea that the man has left the place (the field where the
treasure is reburied) at once for a while in order to do something in relation
to his strong desire of the treasure that he discovered. This expresses a sense
of urgency motivated by his exceeding joy because of the discovered treasure.
Second, he sells all his possessions in order to have the treasure. The only
way to have it, is to buy the whole field. He cannot buy the treasure because
the price of his possessions is not enough, and the fact that nobody knows that
there is a treasure buried in that field except him. The response of the man
who found the treasure is the same response of the merchant. In order to have
the pearl of great value, he sold all his possessions, too. They are desperate
enough to have those of great value in their hands. The desire of their heart
is to possess the precious thing that nothing can equal to.
Comparisons
The two parables have many commonalities. One
of these is that both characters discovered something; the treasure hidden in
the field and the pearl. Another commonality is the idea of great value. The
two objects that each of them have discovered have the same notion of great
value. They are objects of every man's desire. People want to possess them.
There are people who invest a lot in mining knowing that they will discover
something of great value in the heart of the earth like gold, diamonds, and
other precious stones with great value. Finally, both of them desire the thing
that they have discovered. They sold all their possessions to have those
precious things. However, there is one thing that they differ from. The former
has accidentally found the treasure. He has no intention in finding treasure.
Although it seems that he might have the intention, the fact that the treasure
was hidden in the field, it is more likely that the discovery of the hidden
treasure is accidental. On the other hand, it is explicitly stated in the
parable that the merchant, on the other hand, was intentionally searching for a
pearl.
Purpose
These third pair of parables in Matthew 13
accentuates the great value of the Kingdom of God, which is depicted by the
treasure and the pearl. In addition, the similarity of the responses of the man
and the merchant reinforces the notion of the great worth of the Kingdom of
God. Jesus is showing his audience how precious the Kingdom of God is. He wants
his audience to see the Kingdom of God the way the man and the merchant regard the
treasure and pearl respectively. More likely, it is also the purpose of Matthew
in including these parables that the recipients of this gospel book may
perceive the Kingdom of God the way the two characters perceive it. Therefore,
the purpose of these parables is for people to perceive the infinite value of
the Kingdom of God in order for them to desire it even if it may cost
everything.
Argument
In this pair of parables, Jesus presents
the Kingdom of God as the only one that has an inherent great value. This is
the very argument of Jesus in his parables. The very truth is, the great value
of the Kingdom of God is infinite. Since it is from God, and God is infinitely
worthy, His kingdom has an infinite worth as well. What makes the Kingdom of
God infinite in value is He himself; his very presence, his being, and his
attributes. In His kingdom, He exercises His infinite attributes (i.e. love,
justice, holiness, and righteousness). Since the great value of the Kingdom of
God is infinite, it is also incomparable.
The Kingdom of God is incomparable from all
other kingdoms and all sorts of dominions both in spiritual and physical realm.
Since God cannot be compared to the worthless gods and idols, also His kingdom
cannot be compared with other kingdoms. One of the temptations that Satan used
to tempt Jesus with is the kingdoms of the world and their glory at the top of
the mountain (Matt 4:8). Jesus knows that the kingdom he has brought into this
world has greater worth than of the world's. In conclusion, combining all the
worth of the world's kingdom cannot be equaled to the great value of God's
Kingdom.
The parables do not only describe the
infinite and incomparable great value of God's Kingdom, but also, they encourage
the hearers to see it that way as well. Jesus has used the two characters who
discovered the treasure and the pearl. Their discovery is tantamount to
discovery of God's kingdom. However, many people are not able to discover the
Kingdom of God. Satan covers people's spiritual eyes in order for the latter not
to see the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ, which are equated to
the Kingdom of God (2Cor 4:4). In the same way, regeneration (born again
experience) is crucial in order to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Since the
Gospel, the imperishable seed, is responsible for regeneration (1Pet 1:23), it
is important to preach the Gospel so that people may discover the Kingdom of
God and its great value. However, the discovery of God's kingdom and its value
demands a response.
This discovery does not end in itself.
People who discover the Kingdom of God and its value, do not only admire it,
but lead them in order to have it. The two characters did not only admire the
treasure and the pearl, but also, thought of a way in order to have them. They
sold everything that they have in order to possess the objects, which they
discovered of great value. This does not mean that the Kingdom of God or
salvation can be bought. The idea that Jesus wants to convey is still the great
value of the Kingdom wherein a person can give up everything just to have it.
The proof that a person has seen the Kingdom of God and its value is his or her
desperation to have it, which is expressed in giving up everything. Meditating
this parable cannot avoid equating the great value of the Kingdom of God with
following Jesus. To follow Jesus and to be in the Kingdom of God will cost a
person everything, even his own life. Therefore, Jesus' argument is that one
who desires the great value of the Kingdom of God will cost him his life.
Pastoral Application
1. A Demand to Preach the Great Value of
the Kingdom of God
There
are people who have not heard the message of the Kingdom of God. For this
reason, it is impossible for them to see its great value. Since the Gospel will
regenerate a person (1Pet 1:21) in order to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3),
and at the same time, through hearing the gospel faith is born (Rom 10:17) for
them to respond, God demands His people to preach the gospel. In preaching the
gospel, one must present the great value of God's kingdom. Presenting the great
value of the Kingdom of God in preaching is not about the material blessings or
promises of good health and wealth like what others are offering. The great value of God's kingdom is all about
the need to escape from guilt and judgment because of sin. It is about the life
free from the yoke of slavery of sin that only the Gospel of the Kingdom of God
can offer. Preach the true great value that God's kingdom is offering so that
those who might discover may have it in this life and after this life.
2. A Demand of Total Surrender for the
Great Value of the Kingdom of God
The
great value of God's kingdom is not just to be admired, but to own it. The
parables show how to own this kingdom. It is to give up everything just to have
it. Having it demands a total surrender
of everything. No one can get that treasure and pearl without sacrifice and
self-denial. The Kingdom of God is so expensive that no one can avail of it.
However, the only people who can avail are those who discover the great value
of God's kingdom. Those who keep on rejecting the gospel of the Kingdom of God
cannot see its great value. They have other desires of their hearts which they
think are more precious than the Kingdom of God. The worldly wealth is more
valuable, more important, more practical, and more precious than the kingdom of
God for them who keep on rejecting it. For this reason, unless one can see its
great worth, there will be no total surrender of everything for the sake of
God's kingdom, rather they are going to choose and cherish worldly wealth over
God's kingdom. A genuine Christian will give up everything for the Kingdom of
God knowing that its value is far greater than all the world can offer.
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