Month: February 2019

The Hidden Treasure

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“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.
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.” Matthew 13:44-46  (KJB)

I have noticed many different conclusions concerning these two parables, and though I can see their ideas, encouragements, and strengths in them I do see something different.

First of all let us consider that Jesus, in this chapter of parables has identified the “Field” as the world (13:38).  It is also true of the seed sower, who is identified by Jesus as “The Son of Man”; and that is Jesus. So, here are my thoughts on these parables…

In the beginning the Liar [the father of lies] deceived Adam and Eve stealing from them the dominion of this world.  Jesus the Son of Man, Son of God, came to this world (the field), and “found” a treasure in the lives and souls of men; and having surrendered all that He had in glory went to the cross to redeem man unto God.

To Jesus we of earth are the treasure which He gave up His own life to purchase us unto Himself.  We are also His pearls; chosen and precious to Him.  His purchase of us makes us clean, and pure in the sight of Holy God.  We are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20).  The Hidden Treasure in the world, are those who have hearts to receive Him.

The Sick and The Sinner

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“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, ‘Follow Me.’ And he arose, and followed Him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, ‘Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?’
But when Jesus heard, He said unto them, ‘They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’” Matthew 9:9-13  (KJB)

What do the sick and the sinner have in common?  When the sick know they are sick they will; at least in most cases; seek out a physician or someone who can help them.  When the sinner realizes they are a sinner they will seek for a savior; for someone who can and will deliver them from their sin.

In the above verses Jesus had just called a publican [tax collector] to Himself.  His name is Matthew.  Mark and Luke call him Levi.  He is a Hebrew collecting taxes from his own people.  Many of the Hebrew people; especially the Pharisees despised the Jewish men who did such a thing.

The Pharisees also rejected and despised Jesus.  Many of the people who came to Jesus were those who were rejected by the religious hierarchy, sick, weak, hungry, fearful, despised, and rejected by many others.

My summation of the above is this: When you know you are sick you will seek for help; when you know you are lost you will seek help; when you know you are a sinner you will seek for a savior.  There is no help or savior for those who are safe and secure within themselves.

Before you can be delivered from your sin you must realize you are a sinner.  Jesus Christ is the only one who bled and died on the cross for your sins and mine; He was buried, and He rose again.  Trust in Him and His work on the cross; believe Him and be saved.

As You Are Praying

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“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12  (KJB)

As you are asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer remember to also pray for your neighbors, your friends, your family, and yes, your enemies too; just as you are asking, seeking, and knocking good things for yourself.  Do the same for others.

Now I share the commentary of the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary on verse 12…

“Therefore — to say all in one word.

all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them — the same thing and in the same way.

for this is the law and the prophets — “This is the substance of all relative duty; all Scripture in a nutshell.” Incomparable summary! How well called “the royal law!” (Jas_2:8; compare Rom_13:9). It is true that similar maxims are found floating in the writings of the cultivated Greeks and Romans, and naturally enough in the Rabbinical writings. But so expressed as it is here – in immediate connection with, and as the sum of such duties as has been just enjoined, and such principles as had been before taught – it is to be found nowhere else. And the best commentary upon this fact is, that never till our Lord came down thus to teach did men effectually and widely exemplify it in their practice. The precise sense of the maxim is best referred to common sense. It is not, of course, what – in our wayward, capricious, gasping moods – we should wish that men would do to us, that we are to hold ourselves bound to do to them; but only what – in the exercise of an impartial judgment, and putting ourselves in their place – we consider it reasonable that they should do to us, that we are to do to them.” From JAMIESON, FAUSSET, AND BROWN COMMENTARY

Only doable by giving oneself to the crucified, buried, and risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.