Parable of the Hidden Treasure - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field’” (Matthew 13:44).

Palestine was a battleground for centuries; therefore families would commonly bury clothing, food, household valuables, money, and jewelry to protect them from plundering enemy soldiers. Josephus, the Jewish historian, wrote, “The gold and the silver and the rest of that most precious furniture which the Jews had and which the owners treasured underground was done to withstand the fortunes of war.” When the owners of such treasures died or departed the country, the valuables would be forever lost unless someone accidentally discovered them.

Given that history, this parable’s hidden treasure was probably long forgotten until the man found it as he passed through the field. The man was so joyful at his find that he was willing to sacrifice everything in order to possess it, the metaphor for God’s kingdom. That is the point of Jesus’ parable, not the ethics of what the man did, as some Christians wrongly suppose. Such observers think the man was unethi-cal not to have told the field’s owner about the treasure, since it rightfully belonged to him.

But the man was not unethical. First, he obviously knew the owner was not aware of the treasure or he would have first offered it to him. Second, rabbinic law said finders could keep what they found. Third, had the man been dishonest, he would have gone off with the treasure without any thought of buying the field. But he realized that a field with treasure—the kingdom—was so valuable that he sold all else to obtain it. Nothing is more important for us than possessing that treasure also.

Ask Yourself

What treasures of the kingdom have you stumbled upon recently?

When you see them, what are you motivated to forsake in order to more fully and consistently experience the power, joy, and freedom of living in pure fellowship with God?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[bennowens]

I still think this involves an ethical question…

[Tell It Right]

IMHO it’s incorrect to focus on possible secondary meanings of parables. Parables are meant to focus on the main meaning. In this case focus on pursuing God with passion. Jesus probably didn’t mean to focus on finders-keepers. He was simply using a normal part of the culture to make a larger point.

It’s kind of like, admittedly not a parable, no one says that Jesus was promoting the fishing industry when He said, “Come, I will make you fishers of men.” Likewise when He said that the kingdom of heaven is like a shepherd who loses a sheep and leaves the 99 to find the one. No one says it means that when you lead a lost person to Christ you’re supposed to attack him with shears like we do sheep. lol

[Elsie]

What treasures of the kingdom have you stumbled upon recently?

Wrong question.

What kind of a treasure is ELSIE, that GOD Himself would lay down His life to purchase his soul?

[metmom]

Good point.

[mitch5501]

I’ve always thought it meant simply ‘dig’.
Dig it up, examine exactly what you’ve found and think about the ramifications. Let nothing deter you.
God is a rewarder of those who seek Him.