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Writer's pictureTrey Harper

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. (Matthew 13.44)

The story is simple, and much like a parfait; layered. What is the man doing in the field in the first place? Answer: It does not matter. This is a parable and several details are left out because their specifics are unimportant to the point being made. All of us are given a life on this earth. This parable represents that with the man being in the field.

The man finds a hidden treasure. What is not mentioned is if he was looking for it or not. Did he trip over this treasure? Did he catch a glint of a corner of a chest as he ambled through this field? Knowing the point of the story we can surmise that God is going to present everyone with the opportunity of this treasure. What a huge blessing! Everyone on earth will be given the opportunity to receive their own treasure, wonderful!

This is so very exciting! The mans next actions are based in joy. He sells all and buys the field in joy. Not out of obligation or fear, but joy. Also, note; he sells all to obtain the treasure. Gives it all up, he does. From this personal exposure and private assaying, he is able to determine that everything he has is worth less than this treasure. What a sweet deal!

He buys the field. Now that is strange. If you have had the opportunity to study this parable before, you might recognize the treasure is salvation, and the man is giving up his own will to follow God’s, in doing so he obtains the promised reward of eternal life. Peculiar, is the purchase of the field. He walked in it before, and now buys it to obtain the “free gift of God”. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that he has “overcome the world”. The Roman writer reminds us that in Christ’s love we are more than conquerors (Romans 8.37). The gift of salvation is the treasure, but in giving up all to have faith in God we gain the whole world.

Perspective is shown as well. Nothing in, or on, this world is worth salvation. Do not sell your soul for things of lesser, passing value.

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