The Prize Of Salvation (August 27, 2017).

THE PRIZE OF SALVATION

Text: Matthew 13:44-46

Just recently, people came from all over the United States into our area and state to see the eclipse. There are some, like me, whose view of the eclipse was probably obscured by the clouds. There were many others who paid the top dollar for hotels for a small glimpse of time when the eclipse was visible. When we get gypped, we can often blame it on a bad bill of goods that did not represent a reasonable price and or a genuine item. No doubt that seeing the eclipse of 2017 was quite an experience, but it was not worth being cheated in pricing that would be fair. Did greed eclipse good character in the local hotel businesses who engaged in profiteering?

What about the business transactions that we read about in these two parables in Matthew 13:44- 46? Were they fair transactions? In the case of the hidden treasure in a field, there are many in today’s world who would call attorney Bill Green, or attorney George Sink or some other well known lawyer who guarantees a good return for their services. What about the pearl?

How about you? Would you sell everything you owned to possess the hidden treasure or the pearl?

These two parables tell of 2 people who found the treasure of the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The merchant’s search for the pearl was intentional. The man’s discovery of the treasure was by accident. Yet, both were, sacrificing all that they had in order to purchase their find. In these 2 parables we see the purpose, purchase and possession.

THE PURPOSE

Why do people love scavenger hunts? 1) Competition: Do we love scavenger hunts because of the competition factor or the excitement of finding- the-things-on-the-list factor? Or do we like both factors? 2) Coveted prize: How many of you dug your hand through a cereal box for the prize within when nobody was watching when you were a child? Did we do that because we did not want our parents to catch us? Or, did we do that because we wanted to beat our siblings to the prize?

What is the purpose---desired outcome of the search? 1) Materialism: There are people from all walks of life who will seek to gain the praise of others by their status symbols---expensive cars, houses, clothes, jewelry like Rolex watches. For every status symbol that people desire, there is always someone who produces counterfeit goods. 2) Satisfaction: How many people do you know who are not satisfied? Consider Isaiah 55:2: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?" (RSV). 1) Let’s consider the words of one of Shakespeare’s characters named Gartiano who says the search is worthless: “…two grains of what are hid in two bushels of chaff shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search.” (The Merchant of Venice. I.i, 141).

ILLUSTRATION: The late comedian and actor Chris Farley thought that once he had his acting and comedian career going that he would have it made. He thought that show business and all that goes with it, fame and money in the bank, would help him reach that place where as he said, "the laws of the universe would not apply". He also noted that philosophy was false because he "still had to work on relationships and battle his weight and other demons as well". It was unfortunate that he died at the age of 33 with a drug habit. (Craig Brian Larson. Choice Contemporary Stories & Illustrations For Preachers, Teachers, & Writers. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998, p. 251). The only real way that anyone can have peace with himself or herself is through a relationship with God. Matthew 6:21 says: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (NIV). Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (NIV). How many people do you know that are searching for the “fool’s gold” that this world offers?

Remember the saying “finders, keepers, losers, weepers?” HISTORY: According to William Barclay, “Palestine was a land of wars”. (W. Barclay. And Jesus Said.) Philadelphia: Westmister Press, 1970 p. 67). A Man’s garden might become a battle ground. His house might become looted in the process. Therefore, the best measure of security in that day was to hide one’s valuables in the ground. (p.67). The principles of the Jewish Talmud held that if someone found something, then it was considered his or hers. (Barclay p.68). It was much like a saying that I heard when a child: “Finders, keepers, losers, weepers.” The man who bought the field discovered its treasure within by accident. He was not looking for it. The field in which he found the treasure was not even his property. He went to by the field because of the treasure within it.