TREASURE HID IN A FIELD

 MATTHEW 13:44                            

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

This parable consists of one verse and yet there’s a powerful lesson given therein. The problem is that quite a few people over the years have misinterpreted this parable and thus changed the whole meaning. Let us once more use our Bibles and the brains the good Lord gave us and rightly divide the Word of Truth!

 

I. THE POPULAR EXPLANATION

1. The treasure in the field is Jesus

2. The man is the sinner

3. The man gives everything to find Christ

 

Now at first hearing that may sound pretty good. But the fact is it’s about as far off as it can be. The Devil doesn’t want men to understand the Gospel [2 Cor. 4:3-5].

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake.

 So what’s wrong with this view? Let’s look at:

 

II. THE PROBLEMS EXPOSED

1. Jesus is NOT Hidden! [Jn. 8:12, Mt. 5:14-16, Jn. 1:4-9]

- Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

- In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2. Men are to Herald, not Hide, the Saviour [Acts 5:42, 1 Cor.  1:23]

-And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

- But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

3. Men do NOT Purchase Salvation [Isaiah 55:1]

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

 

III. THE PARABLE EXPLAINED

1. The Field is the World [Mt. 13:38]

2. The Man is the Saviour [Mt. 13:24, 37]

3. The Redeemed are the Treasure [Acts 20:28, 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23]

- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

- Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

-Note the joy involved [Mt. 13:44, Heb. 12:2]

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

-Note the price paid was all that He had [1 Pet. 1:18-19]

- Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: