A Most Valuable Treasure

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50

I think it’s fair to say that we all like nice surprises.  If we start out with a little of a good thing, and then find that we have more than before, that’s a nice surprise.  If we find something of great value, and are then able to obtain it, that’s good, too.  And who wouldn’t like to find a buried treasure on their property! Tales of hidden, buried treasures have led people on great adventures.  Action-packed books and movies have told of these treasures, and the quests to find them.  In our Scripture today, we have several short parable examples like these that Jesus told His disciples, as He taught of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The first two examples that Jesus gave to describe what the kingdom of heaven is like, were two very small things that grew much larger (vs. 31-33).  The first was the example of the mustard seed.  A mustard seed is very small, many dozens can easily fit in a small bottle.  Yet, as Jesus described it, when planted, the mustard plant grows into a large bush, often at least 15 feet tall.  Out of something so small, comes something large and towering.

Jesus continues on with another example, that of leaven or yeast.  When making a loaf of bread, there are several ingredients, and yeast is often one of them.  The baker doesn’t use too much, but it is important, as it grows and grows, making the bread rise into a loaf and giving it a good flavor.  Otherwise it is a flat bread.  Again, it is something small, but grows into something much larger.

God’s kingdom has small beginnings, but it grows and produces great results.  The early church started out with a small number of disciples, and now there are believers all across the world.  Yeast permeates and changes all that it contacts.  It starts out small, but grows and grows, like God’s kingdom.  We need to affect and change in a good way all who we come in contact with, as well.

In the next several verses, Jesus gives short, little parables where people find something of great value, and give up what they have in order to obtain it (vs. 44-46).  Both examples picture salvation as something hidden from most people, but is so valuable that people who have it revealed to them are willing to give up all they have in order to possess it.  Buried treasures are exciting, but rare.  We can have a real treasure, which is accessible to all who confess their sins and also receive and follow Jesus.

We can look at both the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price as being God and His kingdom, and also as believers.  Jesus is like the pearl or the hidden treasure.  If we want to follow Him, we can’t be stuck on the things of this world.  It costs everything to follow Jesus, but once we do, we realize He is worth more than anything else.  Nothing this world offers will ever fulfill us as much as a relationship with Jesus.  The kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have.  We must be willing to give up everything to obtain it.

We can also look at the parables as the pearl and treasures being Christians, and Jesus as the merchant.  He found us, and loved us so much that He gave up everything for us.  Jesus left His throne in heaven, coming to earth to live a poor, simple life, and giving His life for us upon the cross, shedding His precious Blood for our salvation.  The kingdom of heaven’s value is our life, paid for by the life of Jesus.

Our Scripture passage concludes with the parable of the dragnet, a large net that was thrown into the water and then pulled to shore with hopefully a catch of fish enclosed in it (vs. 47-50).  Just as a net that is thrown in a lake and then pulled out catches many objects besides fish, so within the church are many who claim and pose to be Christians, but are not.  At the time of God’s judgment the good and bad will be separated.

How much is Jesus worth to you?  It cost Him His life to pay the penalty for our sins.  Forgiveness of sin, a relationship with God, and a home in heaven is worth everything we have.