Matthew 13:44 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. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Here, among many other places, we see how Jesus taught. Those teachings carry on with us. Without the parables we’d have a hard time understanding. Even then many would hear, shrug their shoulders and go on. But some were touched. God sent his son for each individual, including you and me. When Jesus taught it was to the multitudes, but every truth was meant to be personal. The individual response determines whether a change has been made. It is man’s responsibility to take the teachings to his or her heart. God’s Word is his testament to us. Each of us as individuals are like the only ones here. Look back at verse 52. Every scribe is everyone who pays attention to what God says. We have a choice of whether we will believe God or the devil. But God is the only one who can get into the depths of our being. He can speak to our soul. Hebrews 1 says God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. We know about God through his son Jesus Christ and it is through this testament that we have. We all have a Bible. It didn’t use to be that way. In centuries past religious leaders wanted to keep the Word from the people or it was in a language they didn’t understand. Aren’t you glad there’s not one Bible on the communion table and that’s all you have access to! Then the Bible should also be in our heart. It is strictly personal. God for you. God for me. It makes a difference in every circumstance. The Bible isn’t in braille that you can’t read it. I’m not using sign language that you don’t understand. What good would it be? No. God is speaking loud and clear using everyday things to help us understand deep spiritual truths. Is it that simple? Yes! Even a person who never went to school can understand God’s Word.
Here Jesus intensifies his teaching with small stories and reveals himself. Look back at verse 44. Consider it in the context of the next verse and we’ll see it from a different angle. Jesus said a man looks at the fields around him and in the corner of one he sees something. It’s a box and upon closer looking at it recognizes it as a treasure chest that might have a great treasure in it. He sees the shapes its in, rusty and decaying, but he catches a glimpse of a treasure inside. It will be a task to get is out, but he thinks it will be worth it. He hides it marking the spot. Then he goes to the owner of the field and asks to buy it. He tells him yes but the offer in turned down. The man wants the chest so badly that he offers everything he’s got, every asset he has. The man accepts the offer and gives him the deed. He goes and finds the treasure.
Jesus said the King of Heaven is the treasure, the man Christ Jesus. He searches the roads of life. If your life is grown over, rotten and full of the weeds of sin, he’s looking. You may think God doesn’t care but the Savior sees more than weeds. He will never give up on you. He sees the shape of your life and how the elements of sin have worked on you. But he looks past that into the heart and mind. He made us with a living soul. Because sin grows it makes our life worthless. You may ask “can my life ever change?” Yes it can! Everything changed when this man saw what was in that chest. He bought it giving everything he had. How could you turn down the one who gave all for the old field of weeds? Jesus saw something of value in our eternal soul. He came to set you free for the treasure inside. All things become new in Jesus Christ. He saw something worth coming for, worth dying for, worth raising from the dead for…and something worth saving. To him you’re a treasure. To the devil we’re nothing but trash.
Jesus gave it all to own us. When we accepted him, he put up a sign “this belongs to me.” I’m glad we have a Savior who will tell the devil where to go. He frees us from the bondage of sin and death giving us victory. Rejoice if you’re a believer! Jesus can take a rotten, dirty soul and cleanse it; he makes those who believe a new creature in him. One day we’ll get a new chest to live in. It’s all because Jesus passed by and saw us. He wants to buy your field because you mean something to God. John 3:16 says For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus gave his all for us. To accept him and let him fix us up, to let him have our field–our life–brings salvation. That’s strictly personal.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 