The Hidden Treasure Series

THE HIDDEN TREASURE—Matt 13-44

TEXT

"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.

In our study on "The Parables Of Jesus", we have seen different ways in which the message of the kingdom would be received ("The Sower9’). We have seen the efforts of Satan to corrupt the character of the kingdom, and then seen its future in purity and splendour being assured ("The Wheat And Tares") we have also seen the growth and development of the kingdom ("The Mustard Seed" & "The Leaven"). Each of these parables is found in Matthew 13, and as we continue to examine that chapter we find that there are more to come. In Mt 13:44-46 ’The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure’ and ’The Parable Of The Pearl Of Great Price’. We found similarities in "The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven", in which there was a common theme, which was the growth and development of the kingdom, and the theme in the next two appears to be preciousness and value of the kingdom

THE PARABLE EXPLAINED

A man finds a treasure hidden in a field, which he hides in the field; he then proceeds to buy the field. He then sells everything he has in order to buy the field, but does so gladly in anticipation of the treasure that will then be rightfully his.

So what is the meaning of the parable, D A Carson explanation is. "The kingdom of heaven is worth infinitely more than the cost of discipleship, and those who know where the treasure lies joyfully abandon everything else to secure it." And William Hendriksen says "the kingdom of heaven, the glad recognition of God’s rule over heart and life, including salvation for the present and for the future, for soul and ultimately also for the body, the great privilege of being thereby made a blessing to others to the glory of God, all this, is a treasure so inestimably precious that one who obtains it is willing to surrender for it whatever could interfere with having it."

What distinguishes this parable from the one following is that it describes the value of the kingdom to one who accidentally finds it though not purposely looking for it, its value is immediately recognized. As Hendriksen says again, ’we should grasp its one important lesson, the incalculable preciousness of salvation for those who discover it and obtain possession of it without even looking for it!’

THE APOSTLE IS AN EXAMPLE

He discovered the "treasure" unexpectedly, it was on the road to Damascus, and he was going to persecute Christians – Ac 9:1-2, he thought it was the right thing to do –Ac 26:9-11. But once he met the Lord, and learned the will of God, he did not hesitate to carry it out even at great cost to himself –Ac 26: 19-23. He had estimated that what he had found was worth giving up all for if necessary - Ph 3:4-11, in 2 Col: 4-7 Paul refers to it as a "treasure" and writes of the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" that are found in Christ – Cor 2:1-3. Clearly Paul considered Christ and His kingdom a "treasure" worth giving up all one had if necessary to obtain. What is there about the kingdom of Christ that makes it so valuable?

THE KINGDOM—A REFUGE FROM THE POWERS OF DARKNESS-Col 1:3

Outside the kingdom of heaven, one is in the kingdom of Satan Eph 2:1-3 and under his influence, trapped in various sins. But the kingdom of Christ offers deliverance, refuge and sets us free from the guilt and dominion of sin, so that we can serve God - Rom 6:1 7-18 and God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to bear - I Col 10:13

A DOMAIN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY- Rom I4: 17

Is righteousness through faith in Christ, in which our sins have been forgiven - Ph 3:8. A peace from God, which surpasses all understanding – Ph 4:6-7 an abiding joys in the Lord, no matter the circumstances - Ph 4:4: 2:17-18

AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM- Heb 12:25-29

Is one which shall never be destroyed - Dan 2:44. Therefore, a truly everlasting kingdom –2 Pet 1:10-11

DESTINED FOR ETERNAL GLORY- 1Col 15:21-26

Presented by Christ to God at His second coming, those who are truly "sons of the kingdom" will "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" Mat 13:41-43. From that time forward, those in the kingdom will experience the ultimate fellowship in the presence of God –Rev 21:5, 9-12,22-27

CONCLUSION

In light of both the present and future blessings found in the kingdom of heaven, perhaps we can appreciate why many consider the kingdom one of exceeding value. Even when not actively looking for it, but stumbling across it the value is recognized immediately by some, willing to pay whatever price necessary