Hidden Treasures, Pricey Pearls
Jesus tells two parables with the same ultimate lesson: the surpassing value of the kingdom of heaven. One is popularly called, The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Mt. 13:44), the other, The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Mt. 13:45-46). The primary takeaway from these similar stories is to ask the question, “How valuable is the church to you?” How much does it occupy your thinking? How much do you care for her well-being? Are you impacted when someone attacks it? How dedicated are you to it? Do you willingly and regularly expend your time, energy, money, and talents in her work? To think more fully about this, let’s notice both the similarities and differences in the two parables.
The similarities begin with the fact that the great value of the kingdom is not immediately evident to the observer. The hidden treasure is unseen under the soil until uncovered and exposed by the hard working laborer. The pearl was hiding amid a plethora of “similar” pearls out of immediate sight of the merchant. In Jesus’ day the kingdom was just beginning to be preached and the crowds could easily have looked upon Jesus and his group of followers as “just another rabbinical school” in the flow of Jewish history. In our day, the church can fade into the scenery as Christians look more and more like everyone else. We can be seen as “just another denomination.” Christians should recognize the need to show the beauty and value of God’s kingdom to those around them.
Further integrating the lesson from the pricey pearl, there are plenty of other “pearls” available in the world for people to choose from. Plenty of worldly alternatives promise to give a sense of purpose and fulfillment to a lost humanity. What may be some pearls of lesser price? Perhaps the lure of wealth, popularity, power, or politics? The false moral philosophies of wokeism and political correctness can give one a sense of virtue and moral superiority. Higher education or family pride are used by some to fill the God-shaped void in their hearts. But Jesus is here teaching that God’s kingdom, the Lord’s church has a value that far surpasses any other, and the finder is wise to sell all that he has in order to obtain it (see Phil. 3:7-8; Mt. 19:21; 16:24-25)!
The differences between the two parables show that different people may “find” the kingdom of God in different ways. One man stumbles upon the treasure in the field he is working. The other searches diligently for the pricey pearl. I would suspect most of us have “stumbled upon” the kingdom, being born to Christian parents, or simply being born in a culture that offers easy access to the truth of God’s word. Others, however, are diligent in a proactive search for truth (Heb. 11:6; Acts 17:26-28). Their culture or historical circumstances have limited their exposure to the gospel, but their search for meaning and the source of their moral conscience drives them to search for the Universal Lawgiver. Both of these avenues are legitimate means to discovering the kingdom, says Jesus! Both are equally admitted (Acts 10:34).
So whenever you are born, or whatever your circumstances, keep digging and searching for that hidden treasure and valuable pearl. God wants to be found! And when you find him, give everything you have to follow him.
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