Matthew 13:44,45,4644Again, 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. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:44‑46)
Another parable told by the Lord Jesus was about a treasure:
“Again the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a 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.”
What could Jesus have meant by the “treasure”? We know from words of His before, that the people who believe God’s words are dear to Him. So it can be no other than the Lord Jesus Who wanted so much the treasure hid in the field, that He sold all to buy the “field” (the world) that He might have the “treasure”, (the Church).
Christ gave up all His rights in order that He might have sinners washed in His blood, and redeemed to God. It was He who bought the field, in order to get the “treasure” He valued.
Jesus told another parable, much the same as this one:
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one of great price, went and sold all he had, and bought it.”
There are some pearls more beautiful and precious than others: the one the merchant wanted was a very costly one. But we may be certain that it was not about a real pearl that Jesus wanted to teach by the parable. It also seems plain that Jesus was Himself “the merchant seeking the pearl” just as He was the “man to want the treasure”.
Whom could Jesus have meant by the one special “pearl’?
“He loved the Church and gave Himself for it.”
He saw the beauty of the Church, all who have had their sins cleansed by His blood, and are the “one pearl of great price.”
The Lord knew before how He would be treated on earth, yet He left His glory with God the Father, He sold all to buy His people, who are as a beautiful “pearl” to Him.
There is something else to think of in this story: a pearl is not formed by itself, but is thought to be formed when a tiny grain of sand, or other substance gets inside the shell of an oyster (or other shell fish), around which the oyster throws a soft fluid to protect itself from the irritation; this covering becomes hard, smooth and of great luster, making the pearl.
So the Lord’s people are not made beautiful by themselves, but by Another, by the sufferings of Christ.
Is it not wonderful for all who trust the Lord Jesus as their Saviour to think of this story which He so simply told to show His regard for His own?
ML 05/16/1943