The Hidden Treasure

Introduction

It is on record that many persons hid treasures, including gold, silver or jewels, in jars in the earth. In a land so often invaded by enemy forces, the safest thing to do with one’s treasures was to bury them in the earth and run for one´s life and, on returning dig them up. In effect, jars of treasure were lost, their burial unknown to others (The Preacher´s Commentary). Jesus, in one of His parables, compares the Kingdom of God with this hidden treasure, as discussed in this Newsletter.

Finding the Treasure

Jesus taught His disciples with the use of real-life situations to illustrate His message of the Kingdom. He indicated:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Mat 13:44). Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Mat
13:45-46).

Jesus’ use of “treasure” is in reference to Himself. He is that treasure which is more precious than all that a man can ever possess or could ever imagine amassing. Once a person finds Christ Jesus, s/he must sacrifice all that s/he has acquired, and lay hands on Him. Things that could be discarded for the sake of Christ include a boyfriend, a girlfriend, some concubine, some riches, or other that are so cherished but have the ability to prevent us from fully committing ourselves to the Messiah. This was the mystery that the early disciples discovered, and this was exactly what they did. Paul confesses that he counts all things that he so valued as a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, his Lord. He says because of Christ, he has suffered the loss of all thing. He counts those things as dung so that he might win Christ (Php 3:8).

Also, when Zacchaeus discovered this treasure, he promised “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luk 19:8). When we find Christ Jesus, He becomes more precious than any material goods. It is far better to lose all that you have in exchange for the gift of God. We must rid ourselves of ´self` and receive Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

It requires complete self-denial to win Christ Jesus because Jesus teaches that whosoever will come after him should deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow him (Luk 9:23).

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is the found treasure that should earnestly be contended for. There is nothing comparable with knowing the Lord. Believers must forsake the pleasures of this world, and seek to obtain the precious Son of God.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, help us to shed ourselves of irrelevant materials and pleasures of this world. May you open the eyes of our understanding to discover and rediscover thy only Son, Jesus Christ, to appreciate him and be with Him, now and forever more. AMEN!