The Parable Of Hidden Treasure Series

Please turn to Proverbs 2

Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in him there is an abundance of all that which is rich and useful, and will be a portion for us: all fulness (Col. 1:19; Jn. 1:16): treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3), of righteousness, grace, and peace; these are laid up for us in Christ; and, if we have an interest in him, it is all our own. The gospel is the field in which this treasure is hid... in a field, an open field (Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Mt 13:44–52). Peabody: Hendrickson.);

Proverbs 2:1-5 [2:1]My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, [2]making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; [3]yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, [4]if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, [5]then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (ESV)

• It is a great thing to discover the treasure hid in this field, and the unspeakable value of it. The reason why so many slight the gospel, and will not be at the expense, and run the hazard, of entertaining it, is because they look only upon the surface of the field (Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Mt 13:44–52). Peabody: Hendrickson.)

Please turn forward to Matthew 19

The relevance of these parables to the disciples is obvious, especially in view of their having “left” their previous lifestyle and its material possessions in the call-stories of 4:20, 22 (and cf. 9:9), a theme which will be taken up again in Matthew 19:27–29, where it is provoked by the example of the rich man who was unwilling to sell his possessions in order to gain “treasure in heaven” (19:16–22) (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (539). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.)

Matthew 19:16-29 [16]And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" [17]And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." [18]He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, [19]Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [20]The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" [21]Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." [22]When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [23]And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. [24]Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." [25]When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" [26]But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [27]Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" [28]Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29]And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. (ESV)