Hidden Treasure & The Pearl Of Great Price

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(Matthew 13:44) (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."

(Matthew 13:45-46) (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 6:19-21) (19) "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:" (20) "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" (21) "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

(Colossians 2:2-3) (2) "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;" (3) "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

PREFACE SUMMARY

This message explores two insightful parables that illustrate the idea of discovering something of great value and the lengths one might go to secure it. The first parable depicts a man who is walking through a field when he stumbles upon a hidden treasure buried in the ground. Realizing the immense worth of what he has found, he carefully hides the treasure again to keep it safe.

Understanding the importance of owning the land where the treasure lies, he then sets out to locate the field's owner. With determination and a sense of purpose, he makes arrangements to purchase the field, fully aware that this investment is worth every sacrifice he must make.

The second parable revolves around the concept of the pearl of great price. In this story, a merchant who specializes in fine pearls comes across one that is exceptionally valuable, unlike anything he has ever seen before. Recognizing its worth, he decides to sell all of his other pearls and possessions to buy this singular, magnificent pearl.

Both parables convey a powerful message about the pursuit of true value. They emphasize that when one encounters something of great significance, it is worth sacrificing everything else to obtain it.

There is a valuable lesson in these two parables, and there are two ways to interpret them. However, I believe the Lord has settled my mind that the treasure is not only his free gift of salvation but also the valuable gifts within us, just waiting to be discovered.

Notice how the first parable is followed by another parable speaking of the value of a precious pearl discovered by the merchant looking for pearls. Both parables talk about something valuable that had to be sought because they were treasures waiting to be discovered.

There are numerous ways to analyze and interpret these parables. For instance, in the first parable, one might consider whether the field represents the world as a whole or perhaps a more specific aspect of it. This raises the question of what the field signifies in relation to the broader narrative.

In the second parable, centered around the pearl of great price, it is important to explore what the pearl signifies in this context. What is the man searching for when he seeks this precious pearl? Is it a representation of ultimate truth or spiritual fulfillment?

It may be insightful to consider whether both parables communicate the profound value of a single soul in God's eyes. This interpretation suggests that we, as individuals, are the treasure being sought after. In this view, Christ embodies the seeker who is willing to sacrifice everything to redeem lost and broken humanity, ultimately restoring our relationship with God. This exploration invites us to reflect on themes of value, sacrifice, and redemption within our own spiritual journeys.

Did you know that many have grown up in lives marked by words telling them that they will never be or accomplish what others have, for they simply are not smart or good enough to be anything but a failure? Beloved, would you consider pausing to see if this holds in your life?

Many precious people have filled early graves and died with talents, gifts, ideas, and maybe even breakthroughs that could have changed the hardships we face today. They fell prey to the enemy by listening and believing what people said over their lives, that they would never accomplish anything other than being normal people.

Consider how Mr. Borglum and his son envisioned Presidents' faces protruding from the granite walls towering over Mount Rushmore. Could you have imagined that when their work was completed, it would become a towering beacon of hope, representing one hundred fifty years of freedom, as it displayed the American dream to peoples and cultures worldwide?