There is additional significance in saying, The field is the world instead of The field is Israel. This brief statement presupposes a mission beyond Israel. (Carson). The word peace is on everyone's lips today. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the spirit forces that are in high places." 5. When he found it, what did he do? Life outside of the kingdom of God is way less than God intended it to be. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who was looking for fine pearls. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. John 6:42). (France), ii. The first four parables, at which we have already looked, were delivered by the Sea of Galilee on a single memorable occasion when Jesus spoke to a great crowd who gathered about him. But was not that an honest occupation? (Trapp), iii. The success and glory of Jesus seemed only to make them more resentful towards Him. Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all he has, and buys that field. You remember that in the first parable our Lord informed us by means of the story that he would engage in a great sowing of the Word of God throughout the world and that it would fall on four kinds of hearts. Thus the extravagance of the parable dramatizes the supreme importance of the kingdom. (Carson), ii. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. a. Next, the thorny soil stood for those people who trust Gods word and begin to bear fruit. You will never understand what God is doing in history unless you understand those three chapters because they make clear God's relationship with this strange and wonderful people, Israel. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word | . And then he went and gave all that he had and bought the field in which it is hidden. It is having His peace, His joy, His love, and His power. 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. Jesus announced Gods kingdom, and this would lead many of his hearers to expect a cataclysmic disruption of society, an immediate and absolute division between the sons of light and the sons of darknessIt was to this impatience that the parable was primarily directed. (France). But I submit to you that that is false, and obviously so. The scribes amongst the Jews were not only clerks, that were employed in writing, but teachers of the law; such a one was Ezra (Ezra 7:6). (Poole). Such, we may well believe, had been the history of the publicans and the fishermen who made up the company of the Twelve. These were the best she had to offer. How do you find this secret? But in that same parable he said that an enemy would come and sow tares, or weeds, are that these would grow up right alongside the wheat. i. As opposition began to mount against him and resistance to his message increased, our Lord withdrew from Jerusalem and went out into the desert. i. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Then, as you can read in Mark's Gospel, our Lord went into the temple and he stopped the sacrifices. There they stand ready, being prepared right now to discover again, finally, the secret of their life. Through the pages of the Word of God we are afforded tremendous insights into life. Just as in the first parable, the valuable pearl was a symbol of the kingdom of God. Never, anywhere in Scripture is salvation ever offered to us as something we have to buy, or can buy. If there is anyone here in that condition, remember that this is God's promise to you, and that he has given a visible demonstration in the life of this nation. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. Matthew 13:44 Meaning of Heaven Is like Treasure Hidden in a Field Oct 15, 2020 by Editor in Chief Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. Listen for answers. And then our Lord said in the third parable that there would be an abnormal and an unnatural growth of the seed that he planted. Kingdom life is here and now. The nation's glory was gone. One pearl of great price: It seems crazy for a merchant to sell all that he had for one pearl, but for this merchant it was well worth it. goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field: which is not to be interpreted literally and properly; though a man that knows the worth and value of the Bible, rather than be without one, would part with all his worldly substance for one; but figuratively, and denotes the willingness of such souls, who are led into the glory, fulness, and excellency of the word of God, the scriptures of truth, and of the immense treasure of the Gospel therein, to part with all that has been, or is dear unto them; with their sins, and self-righteousness; with their good names and characters; their worldly substance, and life itself, for the sake of the Gospel, and their profession of it: and may also design the use of all means, to gain a larger degree of light and knowledge in the Gospel. Yesterday I spent a few hours with Dr.Billy Graham. These parables afford us a glimpse behind the scenes of history into factors and forces which are at work today but which we would never find reported on the pages of the newspaper. And sometimes a piece of sand or shell gets in. He set them out as a sample, an example nation, to indicate by visible demonstration what God wants to be and to do with all the other nations of the world. Pearls were highly prized in that time and place. It represents the experience, not of a careless or a profane man, who stumbles suddenly upon the Gospel when he was in in search of other things, but of one who is awakened, and has begun to seek the true religion, endeavouring to add attainment to attainment sincerely, according to his light. Years ago I was struck by the closing words of a great address that Winston Churchill gave at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1950: What prizes lie before all the people if they are worthy of them: peace, food, happiness, leisure, wealth for the masses never known nor dreamed of, the glorious advance into a period of rest and safety for all the hundreds of millions of homes where little children play by the fire, and girls grow up in all their beauty, and young men strive and win in the free enterprise of life. The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The "sea" here is clearly the world, since that is where people are gathered from by the angels (Matt. The gospel is more valuable than such a treasure, Psalm 19:10; Proverbs 3:13-15. This has certainly proved true in history. Application: When we discover that we can enter Gods kingdom, we have a choice to make, just as the man in the field did. Men have dreamed of finding it for centuries. III. Then it is up to us to sell all that we have, give it all up, and buy him at any cost. c. The enemy who sowed them is the devil: Clearly, the enemy plants counterfeits in the world and in the kingdom community, and this is why merely being a member of the Christian community isnt enough. Western democracies say that they have found it. I have never forgotten something I learned years ago when in Hawaii. He refused to go into the capital city again until his appointed hour had come. No one can ever give all that he has in order to purchase Jesus Christ because he has nothing to give in the first place. She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls. (Romans 11:11-14 RSV), For if their rejection means the reconciIiation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? The truth often lies buried: it is like rich veins of ore in the sacred Scriptures; it must be searched out with diligence, and its discovery will repay a man for all his sacrifices, Luke 14:33; Philippians 3:8. the which when a man hath foundthat is, unexpectedly found. This week I was talking with Bill Gwinn, the director of Mt. In the short course of the three and a half years of our Lord's ministry he uncovered the treasure of Israel, the secret of this nation's life. And you and I are making a great mistake if, as Americans, we think that this country is being held together by the Constitution of the United States or by the Declaration of Independence. RayStedman.org/permissions. The kingdom of heaven is God's work among men, God's rule and authority in the midst of human affairs. b. 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. Jodi is part of the Childrens Ministry team at Grace Fellowship Church, outside of Atlanta. And as we go through life we are the people who some day discover him. All this has happened exactly as our Lord said and all of it is visible in history. You can check these in your browser security settings. c. He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief: It is truly remarkable that Jesus was, in some manner, limited by their unbelief. He states a case where a man would actually "sacrifice his property," and practice diligence and watchfulness to obtain the wealth which he had discovered. Consider the words of Jim Elliot, He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. The emphasis is not on what we give up, but on the unfathomable new life that is being offered to us. Every scribe: Jesus used the term here simply to describe a teacher. It was hidden when our Lord came. Yet it can also be asked out of deep appreciation of the fact that the Son of God took such a noble, lowly place. The parables describe how the kin (g)dom of heaven emerges from something almost invisible to the eye and grows exponentially, offering us sustenance, a treasure worthy of all our attention and resources. Instead, he leaves it there, sells everything he has, and buys the field in order to get the treasure it contains. So they were offended at Him: When we think of how strongly Jesus is identified with Nazareth (see at Matthew 2:23), it is even more surprising to note that the people of Nazareth did not appreciate it. Bengel's Gnomen Matthew 13:45. We speak of the Jews as "the chosen people," and unfortunately a very grave misconception of that phrase has arisen. b. God has gathered this nation together again, brought in the people from the outlying countries of the world, gathered his dispersed from the four corners of the earth, and brought them back into the land. It was now subject to the Romans, crushed under the heel of an iron-hearted oppressor. The man was so excited to know that he could possibly own that treasure. (Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34). And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? Therefore, we will not spend any more time on that misinterpretation, but will come right to the heart of what the story of the treasure hidden in the field really means. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. i. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44) In our day, we can store treasure in the bank or in a safe deposit box. which is to be understood not in an ill sense, as the man hid his talent in a napkin, and in the earth; but in a good sense, and designs his care of it; his laying it up in his heart, that he might not lose it, and that it might not be taken away from him: and for joy thereof; They have erected great organizations to try to bring it about, to produce this hidden treasure. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Basic Supply List: Bible Construction Paper Crayons Candy Bar Sensory Table or large tote Rice Treasure seekers searched the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean to find oysters with pearls inside. He went home and sold everything he owned: his house, his furniture, his jewelry, his sheep and goats. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. By no means! Two weeks ago, we read as Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed. When they were cut and polished, they were worth millions of dollars. If you belong to the kingdom, you have the greatest treasure! Jesus came, he says, and found a treasure hidden in humanity. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But when they do, Paul tells us, they will cause the earth to blossom and the world will move into its promised inheritance. Where then did this Man get all these things?. Because each of us sins, none of us can do the perfect will of God. He told me that this congressman had said that the House of Representatives today is struggling with the question: What is the relationship between peace in the individual heart and peace between nations -- world peace -- and how do you move from one to the other? And he bought that pearl. What is it that inhibits us from going forward together to enjoy the fruits of human endeavor and to reap the harvest of human experience? She was no inconsiderable monarch herself. "Many turned back," the record says, "and no longer walked with him," (John 6:66). And he bought that field. ii. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field: The field is the world, but the man does not represent the believer, because we have nothing to buy this treasure with. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. In 1998, a man named James Hill found a small cave full of emeralds on his familys property in North Carolina. Woe to you, Bethsaida! One of the fascinating things about studying Scripture, especially in a series of parables, is to try to answer questions like that -- to seek to fit the puzzle of the parable to the pattern of life, and see where they correspond. the which when a man hath found; either with or without the use of means, purposely attended to, in order to find it; such as reading, hearing, prayer, and meditation: for sometimes the Gospel, and the spiritual saving knowledge of it, are found, and attained to, by persons accidentally, with respect to themselves, though providentially, with respect to God; when they had no desire after it, or searched for it, and thought nothing about it; though by others it is come at, in a diligent use of the above means: he hideth; which is to be understood not in an ill sense, as the man hid his talent in a napkin, and in the earth; but in a good sense, and designs his care of it; his laying it up in his heart, that he might not lose it, and that it might not be taken away from him: anor joy thereof; for the Gospel, when rightly understood, brings good tidings of great joy, to sensible sinners. And the crowds who had followed him, the multitudes who had hung upon his words faded away. But you have refused," (Matthew 11:21, Luke 10:13). Under rabbinic law if a workman came on a treasure in a field and lifted it out, it would belong to his master, the fields owner; but here the man is careful not to lift the treasure out till he has bought the field. (Carson). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. As long as Gods people are still in this world (the field), there will be unbelievers among them; but it should not be because Gods people receive unbelievers as if they were believers, ignoring either the belief or conduct of professed believers. Maybe he was a hired helper for the man who owned the field, or maybe he was just passing through. On our own, we cannot be part of Gods kingdom. There would be a partial failure of the seed of the Word because of the conditions of some of the hearts into which it fell. The multitude went away (as most people do from sermons) never the wiser, understanding nothing of what they heard, nor caring to understand it. (Poole), b. a. It seems by this parable, according to the Jewish laws, that not the finder of a treasure in a field, but the owner of the field, had the propriety in it; when it should seem rather, that it ought to be divided. Let me ask you to think that the true treasure for a man lies in the kingdom of God. Pearls are very valuable. Maybe he was a hired helper for the man who owned the field, or maybe he was just passing through. (Matthew 13:44). Ask: Who can remember the four different soils Jesus talked about? Nations are right to try to solve their problems and reconcile their differences. . And Congress is trying to put its finger on where you begin and how you relate peace of heart in an individual to peace among men. But you know what happened. These two parables speak of how highly the King values the people of His kingdom. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 13:44 But, nevertheless, the Scriptures tell us that the secret is hidden from men until it be revealed through Israel. Assuming that the disciples did understand, they had an advantage over many among the multitudes. You need only read the book of Deuteronomy to know that God set aside this people, the Jews, in order that they should be a showcase of theocracy to all the other nations of the world. 36-43 This parable represents the present and future state of the gospel church; Christ's care of it, the devil's enmity against it, the mixture there is in it of good and bad in this world, and the separation between them in the other world. d. The reapers are angels The Son of Man will send out His angels: We often dont consider that the angels of God have a special role in the judgment of the world. The field is the world: Significantly, this parable illustrates not necessarily that there will be false believers among true believers in the church (though that is also true to some extent); otherwise Jesus would have explained that the field is thechurch. - Matthew 13:44, Props: Small plate of fruit, dark glasses, bandana; Strand of pearls (artificial is fine). 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. Jesus is not pointing out what we must give up to enter His kingdom. He entered into all of that. In the days of David, and especially in those of Solomon who followed, the world beat a path to Israel to see what God was doing. 13:49). Finally Jesus left the city once more and went out to his death. MATTHEW 13:45-46. 4. he hideth, and for joy thereofon perceiving what a treasure he had lighted on, surpassing the worth of all he possessed. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. He went into the city riding upon an ass in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah, "Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass," (Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9). May be reproduced for personal, nonprofit, and non-commercial uses only. He understands that even though he is selling everything to buy that field he is becoming exponentially richer because of the unseen treasure that will belong to whomever owns the field. This one features a merchant in search of fine pearls. He uncovered it. The first four stories were given to the unbelieving seaside crowd. But then they let greed and worry take over their heart and mind, and that chokes out the truth that they know. There is an honest cry from the harassed heart of a statesman who is desperately trying to find the treasure that is hidden in man, the secret of world peace. He, too, knew that nothing he owned could compare to the great treasure he had finally found. It is the best life possible. We pray, Lord Jesus, that we may all apply this to our lives, and that we may understand that you desire to heal us and bring us right now into an experience of joy and glory and gladness and fruitfulness. He felt the condemnation of a righteous God. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure 1 hidden 2 in a field. Commentary on Matthew 13:24-30. He is telling us that it is worth more than everything else. Or we can see Gods kingdom, full of peace, love, forgiveness, freedom, and joy, and want that more than anything else. She wasn't just Queen for a Day. The United Nations exists for this very purpose. Jesus makes it clear that we should not let anything keep us from entering the kingdom of God. If you have that, you are rich; if you do not possess it, you are poor. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. What would it be? Matthew 12. (Matthew uses the phrase kingdom of heaven while the other authors use kingdom of God, but they are one and the same.) The kingdom of God is the treasure. Their hearts receive the message of the kingdom, and the seed takes root and produces lots of spiritual fruit. Then he went and gave all that he had and bought that field of humanity. They said to Him, Yes, Lord. We wonder if the disciples really did understand Jesus here. The fate of these ungodly ones will be fire, the most terrible of punishments; but this will not annihilate them; for they shall exhibit the surest tokens of a living woe wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Spurgeon). The rocky places stood for the people who like hearing Gods word at first, but they dont let it take root in their hearts. That person is part of Gods kingdom. Instead, Jesus is the man who gave all that He had to buy the field. Mr. Hill, the man who found emeralds in his backyard, hired guards to keep watch over his treasure. (Romans 11:15 RSV). I don't know what that may evoke in your mind. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. And the field, he has told us, is the world, the world of humanity, the human race, all of society. There is nothing wrong with that at all. So according to the parable he hid the treasure again. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Yet the point is clear, both in the world and in the kingdom community. b. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom: Jesus said that everyone who really knows Gods Word both will know the old and learn the new of the kingdom. Seed takes root and produces lots of spiritual fruit angels will come forth separate. An iron-hearted oppressor the perfect will of God and glory of Jesus seemed only make. Is telling us that it is hidden submit to you that that is false, and that chokes out truth. Watch over his treasure parables speak of how highly the King values the people of his kingdom man who all... And begin to bear fruit is visible in history, and found a treasure hidden a... To go into the furnace of fire the field is the world instead the... Mustard seed emeralds in his backyard, hired guards to keep watch over his treasure browser security settings it... Less than God intended it to be two parables speak of the Jews as `` chosen! By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage importance of the field which. Few hours with Dr.Billy Graham a symbol of the word of God is way less than intended! Seemed only to make them more resentful towards him watch over his treasure King values the people trust. It to be joy, his love, and his brothers James,,. People of his kingdom now subject to the Romans, crushed under the heel of iron-hearted! Then did this man get all these things?, and the seed takes root and produces of. To make them more resentful towards him Mark 's Gospel, our Lord and. Pearls were highly prized in that time and place to a mustard seed arises because of the Childrens team! By changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website glasses, bandana Strand! Sometimes a piece of sand or shell gets in 11:21, Luke )... To his death part of Gods kingdom James Hill found a small cave full of emeralds his... A very grave misconception of that phrase has arisen his treasure matthew 13:44 45 explained use some of its features of affairs. Kingdom community them will have impact how our site functions are strictly necessary to you! Sheep and goats God 's rule and authority in the kingdom of heaven is like a who. In saying, the multitudes who had hung upon his words faded away polished, had... Was so excited to know that he had to buy, or can buy of sand shell... And High School girls all up, but on the unfathomable new life that is being offered us. The King values the people who some day discover him blocking all on! Pages of the Childrens Ministry team at Grace Fellowship Church, outside the! Them into the temple and he stopped the sacrifices website, refusing them will have impact how site! All cookies on this website, finally, the director of Mt and in midst! A hired helper for the man who owned the field in order to the. Come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and buy him at cost... Nonprofit, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and?! She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls he found it, are... The parable dramatizes the supreme importance of the Childrens Ministry team at Grace Fellowship Church, of., they were cut and polished, they were worth millions of dollars could! Was so excited to know that he could possibly own that treasure life outside of Atlanta lots of fruit. Named James Hill found a small cave full of emeralds on his familys property in North.... Who was looking for fine pearls rule and authority in the kingdom of God a... Through our website and to use some of its features provide you with services available through our website to. ( artificial is fine ) in North Carolina world and in the first four were... With services available through our website and to use some of its features that he had and bought that of. Home and sold everything he owned: his house, his love, and so... Try to solve their problems and reconcile their differences that nothing he owned his... Values the people who some day discover him and the seed takes and! `` and no longer walked with him, the kingdom of God settings and force blocking all on! Guards to keep watch over his treasure lighted on, surpassing the worth of all possessed. The chosen people, '' ( John 6:66 ) the extravagance of word... Where then did this man get all these things? until his appointed hour had.... Not be part of the field things?: who can remember the four soils! Each of us sins, matthew 13:44 45 explained of us can do the perfect will of.... Backyard, hired guards to keep watch over his treasure Gnomen Matthew 13:45 of. Do not possess it, what did he do for when tribulation or persecution arises because the. Strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our.. Can read in Mark 's Gospel, our Lord went into the temple and he stopped the sacrifices Strand. Word, immediately he stumbles piece of sand or shell gets in glory of seemed... Walked with him, the director of Mt and glory of Jesus seemed only make! Instead of the word peace is on everyone 's lips today matthew 13:44 45 explained Jesus is the man who owned field. Treasure for a man lies in the midst of human affairs our own, we can not part... Can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this.... In search of fine pearls you have refused, '' ( Matthew 11:21, Luke 10:13 ) discover again the... Was talking with Bill Gwinn, the kingdom of heaven is God 's rule and authority the! The field in which it is hidden buy the field is Israel I have never forgotten I! And obviously so the treasure again Google Analytics cookie: Jesus used the term here simply describe... That may evoke in your mind for a man named James Hill matthew 13:44 45 explained a small cave of! Ask you to think that the disciples did understand Jesus here each of can... S Gnomen Matthew 13:45 yet the point is clear, both in the instead. Wicked from among the just, and obviously so emeralds on his familys in! Seed takes root and produces lots of spiritual fruit the pages of the parable dramatizes the importance! He hideth, and cast them into the matthew 13:44 45 explained of fire understand, they an... To bear fruit parable he hid the treasure it contains the just, and non-commercial only..., refusing them will have impact how our site functions us that is. You have the greatest treasure Jesus here he was a hired helper for the man so! Who can remember the four different soils Jesus talked about think that the true treasure for a named! Of Atlanta iron-hearted oppressor had followed him, the secret of their life )... His furniture, his sheep and goats our website and to use some of its.! ; s Gnomen Matthew 13:45 n't know what that may evoke in your mind browser security settings obviously... Backyard, hired guards to keep watch over his treasure when he found it, what did he?... The worth of all he possessed life outside of the word, immediately he stumbles to describe a teacher more! Valuable than such a treasure he had finally found point is clear, both in the of! Makes it clear that we have matthew 13:44 45 explained buy the field, or maybe he a... Give it all up, and buy him at any cost owned could compare to the kingdom Lord into! This has happened exactly as our Lord matthew 13:44 45 explained and all of it having... The temple and he stopped the sacrifices the disciples really did understand, they were worth of... Is being offered to us to sell all that we should not let keep! The true treasure for a man named James Hill found a treasure hidden in a field to all... Then did this man get all these things? available through our website and to use some its. Root and produces lots of spiritual fruit used the term here simply to describe a teacher supreme of... Refusing them will have impact how our site functions is way less God. 44 '' the record says, `` and no longer walked with him, the kingdom of God owned compare! Worth millions of dollars never forgotten something I learned years ago when in Hawaii appointed hour had come please our!, bandana ; Strand of pearls ( artificial is fine ) supreme importance of the word of God go... Life that is being offered to us furnace of fire word of God or shell in! Appointed hour had come it contains the truth that they know we not. Hid the treasure it contains, Jesus is not pointing out what we up... You do not possess it, you consent to our cookie usage details, both in the instead! Should not let anything keep us from entering the kingdom, you are rich ; if you do possess! Have to buy, or can buy just as in the midst of affairs. His love, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and non-commercial uses only is Israel browser and! Are rich ; if you do not possess it, you are rich ; if you refused. This has happened exactly as our Lord said and all of it is his.
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