Sermon Devotional: Hidden Treasure

Sermon Title: Parables of the Hidden Treasure

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.  Matthew 13:44-46

In these two verses from Matthew 13, Jesus gives us two lenses into understanding the “kingdom of heaven.” The kingdom is like a treasure buried in a field (13:44) and the kingdom is like a “fine pearl” (13:45). We know that the ancients had no banks to protect their ‘treasures.’ Therefore, it was not uncommon to bury it in a field. We also know that pearls carried incredible value. In these short parables from Jesus, the big consistent message is: The Kingdom of Heaven is of great value.  Sell everything and purchase it.

So, three questions immediately come to mind – What is the Kingdom of Heaven?  How much is it worth?  And how do I ‘purchase’ it?

The Kingdom of God is less about location and more about rule. The Kingdom is God's sovereign rule and reign over creation, established through Jesus Christ, and encompassing both a present, spiritual reality within believers and a future, physical fulfillment at Jesus' return. God, in creation, placed us in our home on earth as a Father would his child in a house where the pictures on the wall remind us of whose world we live in. We are his creation living inside his creation (Romans 1:20).

But being here on earth is no guarantee that we are in the Kingdom of God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, they stepped outside of God’s care and into Satan’s destruction (the Kingdom of this world). Their eyes became dull. They entered death and all that comes with it. Before, they walked with God in the cool of the day. After, they were banished from the Garden. From that moment on, the Kingdom of God was veiled from their eyes. It became hard to see the glory of God due to the darkness of sin. That’s why, when Jesus begins speaking in parables, he tells us repeatedly, “he who has ears, let him hear” (Mt 11:15; Lk 14:35; Mk 4:23).

What is the Kingdom of heaven worth? The parables tell us. For the one who found the buried treasure, “in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (13:44). The pearl merchant knew value when he saw it. He too “went and sold all that he had and bought it” (13:46). The Kingdom is of incalculable value.  Nothing compares! This is relationship with our Savior!  This is restoration with our Creator, our loving Father. “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Gal 4:6).

These parables aren’t so much about what we’re willing to give up to gain the kingdom but that the kingdom is worth losing everything to gain it (Phil 3:7-8). The Kingdom of God is a kingdom that costs you everything and nothing. It costs you everything—you’re completely changed, altered from the inside out. When you find it, you can’t stay who you once were. Your life is radically changed. Your loves are altered. Your purpose is different.

And yet, it costs you nothing—the price has already been paid. The Kingdom of God costs you nothing because Jesus paid the price to give it to you. He gave you the right to be called a child of God (Jo 1:12). Now, because of him, it's your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Lu 12:32).

Be careful not to misunderstand these parables.  Some think the parables tell us that we can purchase the kingdom. That would be works righteousness. That’s not what Jesus is saying. The Gospel of the Kingdom is the free gift of grace (Ro 5:15). Isaiah called out to God’s people, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Is 55:1). What Jesus accomplished on the cross was not only salvation from sin. It was also the entrance into the Father’s house. He paid the price on our behalf.

Gaining the Kingdom doesn’t cost us anything. Receiving the Kingdom costs us everything. “In his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field/pearl.”

Consider—
╬   The Kingdom of God is less about location and more about rule. Who reigns over your life? Whoever it is, that’s whose kingdom you live in.

╬   What is one thing in your life that would crush you if you lost it. Is it your health? Spouse? Children? Job? Status? Wealth? Appearance?  Or is it the Kingdom of God and your relationship with Christ. Ask the Lord to help you grasp the limitless love God has for you and the incalculable treasure that love is.

╬      Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help us grasp the breadth and length and height and depth of Your love for us.  Help us understand the price You paid to restore us to sonship!  That we might, with joy, put You first in our week (worship), first in our day (Your Word and prayer), first in our finances, first in everything!  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.