Do you remember how fun treasure hunts were when you were a child? The excitement and challenge used to keep me going no matter how hard the articles were to find. I believe that in the big picture of life, we have higher, nobler “treasure hunt” in which to participate.
The Lord told a total of eight parables in Matthew 13 about the kingdom of Heaven. He wanted to show that after the fall of man, man cannot govern himself and find the satisfaction God intended for him. The first four parables relate to seeds and eating. The last four parables speak of finding a treasure and the correct use of it. The disciples had already found in Christ a great treasure that was hidden in their hearts. Jesus told them in Luke 17:20-21, “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Jesus said in Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” It was as if Jesus was saying to His disciples, “Your treasure hunt in the world is over for you have found the finest treasure. The treasure you have found is the result of My coming into the world to live, die and, rise from the dead.”
The treasure of which Jesus was speaking was the riches Christians possess because they are in Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Paul said in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” From the beginning of His work Jesus spoke of earthly treasures and spiritual treasures (Matthew 6:19-20). He also referred to them as evil and good treasures (Luke 12:35). There are treasures in the hand which others can see and treasures in the heart which are hidden (Luke 6:45).
The field represents the world in which we live (Matthew 13:37). We hunt for treasures in the world, but the real treasure is hidden. The one who seeks and finds the treasure is the one who finds Christ Himself. The disciples found the treasure, and hopefully this will be our “treasure hunt” too. It is significant that the treasure was not on sale. The man did not try to buy it at a bargain. When someone finds the treasure of the kingdom, they should be willing to sell everything and buy it. Essentially this was the challenge the Lord placed before the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21). In Colossians 1:27, Paul said, “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.” No earthly treasures can compare with the hidden treasure, which is Christ in the heart.
Kyle Campbell