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PART II: THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM
CHAPTER 6
THE HIDDEN TREASURE
Introduction
After explaining the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat to
his disciples, Jesus told them four parables privately.
This is the first parable that he told his disciples.
(Morgan, THE PARABLES AND METAPHORS OF OUR LORD, p. 66).
This parable is found only in Matthew 13:44.
The Story
"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,
New International Version).
Jesus again tells a parable about the kingdom. A man
happens upon a hidden treasure in a field and is exuberant.
He then places it back in hiding. He leaves, sells all he has
and buys the field in which the treasure is hidden.
The Interpretation
Jesus is talking to his disciples, who would immediately
grasp the truth of this parable, since they had
experienced it firsthand. The field is the world and the
hidden treasure is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation.
As the man in the parable sold all he had to buy the natural
treasure, the disciples had surrendered all they had to the
Lordship of Christ.
Please notice that in this parable, the individual was
not actively looking for Christ when he found the Lord.
However, the Holy Spirit guides us many times when we are
not aware of his guidance.
Also note that the story is realistic to this world.
Many people would not tell the owner that a treasure was
buried in the field before buying it. Jesus was not
condoning dishonesty.
However, Jesus was emphasizing the man's "earnestness in
securing the treasure found, his fixed purpose to make it his
own, and his prudence." (Trench, THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD. p.
47).
Central Truth
CHRIST (AND HIS SALVATION)
IS SUPERIOR TO EVERYTHING ELSE.
Conclusion
Let us hide the Gospel (Word of God) in our hearts in
order that it might not be taken away from us. But, on the
other hand, let us share this treasure with others.
Paradoxically, giving it away to others helps us keep it!
END