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The Parables of Jesus - The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:44, 45-46

I. The Context

  1. Still the "Busy Day"
  2. Away from the multitudes Matthew 13:36
  3. He went into the house, with his disciples Matthew 13:36
  4. "He who has ears, let him hear" repeated Matthew 13:9, 43
  5. The context: Jesus is still explaining the division of those inside vs those outside the kingdom

II. The Parables

  1. The Hidden Treasure, Matthew 13:44
    1. The man
      Possibly a day laborer
    2. The activity
      He unexpectedly finds a treasure
    3. The treasure
      Why was there treasure in the field?
    4. The man re-hid the treasure
    5. Sold all that he had with joy and bought the field to obtain the treasure <!--

    "in his joy" ESV
    "from joy over it" NASB
    He was overjoyed at having found the treasure

    1. Was the man unethical for not reporting his find to the owner?
      1. Jewish rabbinic law states that the landowner does not automatically have claim to objects of unknown ownership on his property
      2. He could have simply taken the treasure
      3. He could have taken part of the treasure to buy the field
      4. He could have bought only the part of the field that contained the treasure.
      5. The owner of the field would have removed the treasure before selling the field if the treasure had belonged to him
    2. The point of the parable: A man found something so valuable that he sold everything he owned in order to get it.
  2. The Pearl of Great Price, Matthew 13:45-46
    1. The man
      A pearl merchant
    2. The activity
      Scouring the pearl markets for great pearls
    3. The treasure
      A pearl of great value
    4. Sold all that he had and bought the pearl
    5. The point of the parable: A man found something so valuable that he sold everything he owned in order to get it.

III. The Explanation

  1. Common points
    1. "The kingdom of heaven is like"
    2. Someone finds a treasure
    3. That one desires to obtain the treasure
    4. Obtaining the treasure requires parting with everything else
    5. Parting with everything is done willingly, it is not a sacrifice
      1. With joy
      2. Premeditated
  2. Distinctive points
    1. The hidden treasure is found accidentally
    2. The pearl is found during a search for pearls

IV. Central Truth

What is the kingdom of heaven like?
It is something so valuable that when you find it you will gladly give up all you have to receive it.

V. Application

  • Why do some people not value the kingdom of heaven?
    Why do they not surrender all they have to gain salvation?
  • What do you value most?
    What will you give in exchange for your soul?
  • Have you joyfully given all to gain the kingdom, to gain Christ?

The pearl of great price is not a jewel, it is a person -- Sproul