17. The Kingdom Parables – The Fifth – The Hidden Treasure – Part 1 Of 4 Series

17. The Kingdom Parables – The Fifth – The Hidden Treasure – Part 1 of 4

This message is in 4 parts and it is awkward to break it up as it is one whole. I hope it flows well for the reader.

[A]. INTRODUCTION TO THE PARABLE

So far we have done four of the seven Parables of the Kingdom. They are The Sower, The Tares, The Mustard Seed, and The Leaven. In each of these we studied the parable itself; then looked at the church in Asia Minor that corresponded to the parable (Revelation chapters 2 and 3) and then looked at the place the parable had in Church History.

In all three sections, the order is precise, that is, they all match up, e.g. the Sower equates with the church at Ephesus, and they equate with the first period of Church History, the Apostolic period. The others follow on as shown in previous messages.

In this study of the Treasure Hidden in the Ground (The Field = the World), we will also see this correct sequence operating. The Parables; the Churches, the Historical Periods, are remarkably correlated. Only God could ensure that. With that short introduction we move to the fifth parable, that of the treasure hidden/buried in a field.

[B]. THE PARABLE OF THE TREASURE HIDDEN IN THE FIELD

{{Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.”}}

What we have is this:-

** The treasure is hidden in a field.

** It was found by a man who hid it straight away.

** It caused him great joy (because of its value).

** He sets out to sell all he has to convert his assets to money.

** He then goes to buy the field.

Something to note right away – This treasure was bought at a great price. The man sold all he had to purchase the field. There is a point of similarity with the next parable, that of the Pearl. This is a purchase, purchased with something good (all that the man had). It WAS NOT the acceptance of the field, or the treasure as a gift, that cost nothing. It was obtained at great cost.

[C]. WHAT IS THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED MEANING OF THIS KINGDOM PARABLE?

In nearly every Commentary or sermon, you read and hear the same message about this parable. It is said to be the sinner finding salvation or coming into God’s grace. Not to press the point too much, it is about a sinner buying salvation.

Right away you should have your eyes right open because you know salvation can not be bought. It is a free gift. It is akin to the thoughts in these verses (They are speaking of Israel, but the principle is exactly the same) –

{{Isaiah 52:3 for thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing and you will be REDEEMED WITHOUT MONEY.” Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT COST.”}}

The hidden treasure is not salvation. That should be very clear. Here are some “usual” explanations about this parable. The bracketed comments after each quote are mine.

[A]. From John Calvin:- (John Calvin, Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke – Vol. 2, translated William Pringle, CCEL, Matthew 13:44–52.) “The first two of these parables are intended to instruct believers to prefer the Kingdom of heaven to the whole world, and therefore to deny themselves and all the desires of the flesh, that nothing may prevent them from obtaining so valuable a possession. We are greatly in need of such a warning; for we are so captivated by the allurements of the world, that eternal life fades from our view; and in consequence of our carnality, the spiritual graces of God are far from being held by us in the estimation which they deserve.” [[[Calvin avoids the details of the Parable and broadly equates it with denying the flesh. Denying the flesh is not the means of salvation. It is not what the parable means.]]]

[B]. From John Chrysostom: "The foregoing parables of the leaven, and the grain of mustard-seed, are referred to the power of the Gospel preaching, which has subdued the whole world; in order to show its value and splendor. He now puts forth parables concerning a pearl and a treasure, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field.” For the Gospel preaching is hidden in this world; and if you do not sell your all you will not purchase it; and this you ought to do with joy; wherefore it follows, which when a man hath found, he hideth it.” [[[He advocates selling all and purchasing the treasure. How can a sinner sell anything to purchase salvation? This is not true. When a sinner has purchased it, he is then to hide it. That is wrong. All our righteousness is as filthy rags; the sinner has not one decent thing he can offer for salvation. It is God’s free, lovely grace.]]]