No 14

(The Hidden treasure and The Pearl of Great Price)

When Jesus taught the crowds in parables, He always gave examples that His hearers could understand and could apply to their lives. Here are two examples “44 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. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.

These two parables have identical meanings. Both describe salvation as something hidden from most people (verse 11 says “…but to them it is not given”) but so valuable that people who have it revealed to them, are willing to give up all they have to possess it.

It is a treasure of indescribable value however; may I submit that when we find this treasure we cannot keep it to ourselves; it must be shared? When we are first saved, our hearts are filled with joy and peace. Our immediate reaction is to share it with others but we quickly realize that not everyone is ready to give up all they have to obtain the treasure that we are so compelled to share with them; only those who have been quickened by the Spirit of God are receptive. So what are we to do? How can we know who has been quickened? We can’t; that is the whole meaning of verse 11 so, it is imperative that we share this treasure with everyone we can because “perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25, 26. Only God knows who is able to receive the enlightenment of this treasure.