Matt 13:44-46

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

NKJV

Both of these parables describe men who considered everything they had known and acquired in the past as nothing compared to the priceless possession they found. With joy they sold all of value they currently owned to buy with excitement the priceless possessions that were set before them.

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like the most priceless thing one could ever imagine or desire. Jesus is like the man in the parables. He left the splendor of glory, everything He knew from the very beginning with God, all of His past, to take on the form of man and humble himself to the death of the cross. Why did He do this? The bible says, “For the hope that was set before Him.” The hope was that the kingdom of heaven would come again with greater glory to the earth. He even taught His disciples to pray this. “Thy kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:11) We are the pearl of great price that was in the possession of another, the enemy. Jesus “sold” all He had and legally bought us from the evil one. We were the treasure hidden in the field. He left all He was with God in the beginning to buy the field. Matthew 13:38 defines the “field” as the world. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Ps 24:1) Jesus made Satan an illegal land owner. If we would truly understand what Jesus did when He left all to redeem the world and all who live in it, we would stop paying Satan rent and put the enemy in his proper place, under our feet.

A natural kingdom of earth with no people is no kingdom at all. A king may have a spot of ground, but if he has no people, he doesn’t have a kingdom. The kingdom of heaven without people likewise is not a kingdom. God originally created man as a priceless pearl unto Himself. What could possibly have more value in creation than the very image and likeness of God Himself? The enemy sowed seed of rebellion perverting creation away from God. Jesus left the glory He had with God from the beginning to buy all God had created back to Himself. The kingdom of heaven has the spirit and atmosphere of “pricelessness.” The sons of the kingdom are the priceless treasure to the King and the King is the priceless treasure to the sons of the kingdom. With joy the people of His kingdom, those who believe on Him, forsake all to follow Him wherever He leads. What is the kingdom of heaven like? The most priceless love affair the earth has ever known. “Priceless!”