I just returned home from knocking out a few hours of sawmill work. It went well. And the dogs sure loved it. Between the customer and me, the dogs like to keep us busy tossing balls for them. They’re convinced and passionate about believing that chasing balls is actually fulfilling God’s will for their lives.
These parables of Jesus, of course, are stories of things we know and are familiar with that help to give description and meaning to things we don’t know. In using them, Jesus is being very kind and thoughtful toward us earthlings who are not naturally equipped with a clear knowledge of the heavenly.
These two small parables about the treasure in a field and the priceless pearl are squeezed into just three verses. But their meanings are very big. However we slice and dice them, there are two very important generalizations that grab my attention. Firstly, this treasure of great value is not just laying there in the open for everyone to see. Of course, the Sovereign Lord could have made it that way if He chose. Instead it is “hidden”—obscure to public view—yet totally available—found only by means of searching and seeking. That sure sounds like another spin on Matthew 6:33—“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Secondly, let’s not allow one shred of misconception to block our understanding of how incredibly valuable is the gift of Christ to a sin-bound soul, and how important it is to come under His kingship. In line with this, let’s be reminded of the great statement that the Apostle Paul gives the Colossian believers concerning his motivation for doing ministry. “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2,3).