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Wednesday, May 21,
2008
Hidden
Treasure
Matthew 13:44-46 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. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation
Matthew 13:44-46:
44. "The kingdom of
heaven is like a pot of gold which was buried in a field, which a man found
and buried again; and for joy over it he went and sold all he had and
bought that field. 45. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
gem-dealer who was looking for beautiful pearls. 46. One day he found a
very costly pearl, and he went and sold all he had and bought it.
What would you do if you
found a treasure hid in a field, something of great value and price that
was there for the taking? As we see in the above verses everything and
anything necessary to secure the possession, as well as being able to
continue to access all that is available. For those that have been born
again or born anew into the realm of the Spirit, now that you have found
that great hidden treasure, something that has been there all along but was
not found until the eyes of your understanding was enlightened, what are
willing to do to so you can access this eternal treasure? Are willing to
totally sell all that you have; in other words, are you willing to discard
anything or anyone that would try to impede your accessing this treasure?
Remember, the greater the treasure the more alert one needs to be because
there are plenty of thieves and robbers who will try to steal from you what
is rightfully yours. I like what Adam Clarke has to say concerning these
verses as well, let’s take a look.
Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven-- the salvation provided by the
Gospel-- is like a treasure-- something of inestimable worth-- hidden in a
field; it is a rich mine, the veins of which run in all directions in the
Sacred Scriptures; therefore, the field must be dug up, the records of
salvation diligently and carefully turned over, and searched. Which, when a
man hath found-- when a sinner is convinced that the promise of life
eternal is to him, he kept secret-- pondered the matter deeply in his
heart; he examines the preciousness of the treasure, and counts the cost of
purchase; for joy thereof-- finding that this salvation is just what his
needy soul requires, and what will make him presently and eternally happy,
went and sold all that he had-- renounces his sins, abandons his evil
companions, and relinquishes all hope of salvation through his own
righteousness; and purchased that field-- not merely bought the book for
the sake of the salvation it described, but, by the blood of the covenant,
buys gold tried in the fire, white raiment, etc.; in a word, pardon and
purity, which he receives from God for the sake of Jesus Christ. We should
consider the salvation of God,
1. As our only treasure, and value it above all the
riches in the world.
2. Search for it in the Scriptures, till we fully
understand its worth and excellence.
3. Deeply ponder it in the secret of our souls.
4. Part with all we have in order to get it.
5. Place our whole joy and felicity in it; and
6. Be always convinced that it must be bought, and
that no price is accepted for it but the blood of the covenant; the
sufferings and death of our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (from Adam
Clarke Commentary)
Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if
thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (2) So that
thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
(3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding; (4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as
for hid treasures; (5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and
find the knowledge of God. (KJV)
Which field are looking in
today for a treasure that will last an eternity? While God has provided a
spiritual treasure of wisdom and knowledge to those in Christ, the enemy
has many blinded and chasing the temporal treasures of the world. Just look
at how much time, talent, and treasure gets put into casinos and lotteries,
people looking for something they think will satisfy and bring them peace.
Now just think how many strong single minded Christians we would have if
that same effort was now fixated toward the things of God and His eternal
treasure that awaits those that find it. For every spiritual blessing the
Lord has poured out and made available to mankind the devil has a cheap
imitation to keep them from finding and accessing the one true eternal
riches which are only found in Christ.
Luke 18:22-24 Now when Jesus
heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all
that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and come, follow me. (23) And when he heard this, he was very
sorrowful: for he was very rich. (24) And when Jesus saw that he was very
sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the
kingdom of God! (KJV)
Where your treasure is, that
will determine the direction of the heart and what realm it wishes to hold
to. The Spirit and the flesh are contrary, the one to the other, and those
that desire to have their reward here will not be able to inherit an
eternal one. So while today man’s messages of financial prosperity are
nothing but a cheap hoax compared to what is available in Christ, we have
many today who have Americanized the gospel for filthy lucre sake robbing
the congregation blind. Why are so many chasing the things of this world
that our Lord clearly demonstrated and spoke about as being detrimental to
their spiritual welfare? The riches of this world which the enemy tries to
portray as the answer only make those that chase after them sorrowful,
piercing them with many sorrows and drowning in destruction and perdition.
Colossians 1:26-28 Even the
mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made
manifest to his saints: (27) To whom God would make known what is the
riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory: (28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and
teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus: (KJV)
Are you digging into the word
of God with the same zeal and determination as you would if it were a
treasure hid in a field? The things of God are hid in Christ but ready to
be revealed to any that would sell out to the ways of the world and seek them
with all their heart. This is a true treasure that is hid to the carnal man
but is in plain sight to the spiritual one. In the end it will only be
those who have searched diligently and found out who they are in Christ who
will have to access this treasure of wisdom and knowledge and receive their
reward of inheritance which will be an eternal wealth of joy and peace.
Proverbs 8:21 That I may
cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their
treasures. (KJV)
Is there some real substance
in your walk with the Lord? Do you know for sure what the true riches of
His kingdom is and how to access it daily so that your spiritual treasure
chest can be full and stay that way? If not, you will find yourself in the
wrong field blindly digging, with plenty of holes in your doctrine.
Colossians 2:2-4 That their
hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches
of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the
mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (3) In whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (4) And this I say, lest any man
should beguile you with enticing words. (KJV)
While mankind keeps pointing
to this world and the dead things of it concerning treasure, the one true
treasure of wisdom and knowledge can only be accessed from the Father
through Christ, which will give you the assurance and understanding of the
mystery that is hid in Him. So put down that shovel and pick up that Bible
and start digging in fertile eternal ground so that you can be grounded and
settled and not moved away from the one true treasure, Christ in you the
only hope of glory.
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