Go Beyond

   Reflections on Matthew 13:44-46

   Jesus told his disciples two parables to illustrate how the kingdom of God grows from something small into something great (Matt. 13:31-35). He continued by sharing two more parables that illustrate the surpassing worth of the kingdom. He introduced each of these parables with the phrase “the kingdom of heaven is like.”

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. | In Jesus’ day, people sometimes buried their valuables in the ground in order to hide them from burglars or raiders. Jesus told of a man who was digging in a field and unexpectedly found such a treasure (Matt. 13:44) — perhaps buried in a chest. Overjoyed by his discovery, the man covered up his find. Realizing he could not live without the treasure, the man then willingly and gladly sold everything he had and legally purchased the field.

This parable reminds me of another man who also unexpectedly found the treasure of a lifetime. Like the man digging in the field, the Apostle Paul discovered the treasure of a lifetime on the road to Damascus (Acts. 9:1-19). Like the man in Jesus’ parable, Paul recognized the worth of what he had found. He later commented, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8). Paul considered the loss of everything in order to gain Christ the greatest bargain of his life — a very profitable exchange. Sadly, some people fail to recognize the surpassing worth of the kingdom and prefer instead to hold on to what they have. Jesus cautioned, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. | In Jesus’ day, pearls were expensive and generally beyond the purchasing power of the average person. Jesus told a story about a merchant who was searching for fine pearls (Matt. 13:45-46). When this merchant found the pearl of his dreams, he immediately recognized the surpassing value of that single pearl. All other pearls he had ever seen paled by comparison. Without hesitation, the merchant eagerly sold all that he had and purchased the single pearl.

A few years ago, I met a young missionary from the Czech Republic while I was in Mongolia. She shared with me how she had eagerly embraced the gospel when she had first heard it preached. Soon afterward she felt God leading her to take the gospel of the kingdom to the people of Mongolia. This young woman had joyfully exchanged the comforts and security of her home in order to advance the work of the kingdom in Mongolia. She expressed to me that she felt there was nothing greater in life than the privilege of knowing God and serving the interests of His kingdom. This young woman understood the surpassing worth of the kingdom.

Like the man who found the treasure and the merchant who found the pearl, we should willingly and joyfully surrender whatever we must in order to gain the kingdom. Nothing we possess or pursue can surpass the value of being a child of God and living under His rule.