Eureka!

There was a time when Jesus intentionally changed His method of teaching to the use of parables. These simple stories were to reveal the keys to the mysteries of His kingdom, hidden since the creation of the world (Matthew 13:35). In the same chapter Jesus shares this, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy he went out and sold all that he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for pearls. When he found one of great value he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

We know the kingdom of heaven is not some sort of a commodity or object to be obtained. It is safe to say that his kingdom is a realm in which Christ reigns: perhaps it can be called a hyper or ultimate reality. But what is also obvious here, along with the worth of the treasure and the pearl, is that they are not casually obvious to everyone.

This parable does seem to be pointing us to the appraisal or the worth that these two men have attached to what they desire to obtain. Looking at the first individual, we see he discovers/stumbles onto a treasure. The second individual knew what he was looking for, but he was seeking the ultimate expression of it.   There is a discovering/seeking continuum here.

Both men are eager to employ all of their resources and change their lives. Once aware of the treasure, it seems that they were overcome by a desire they had not previously known. Neither seems to consider what they paid to be a sacrifice.