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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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