GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 13:44-4644 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Meditation: What do you treasure above all else and how do
you keep it secure? In a peasant community the best safe was often
the earth. The man in the parable "went in his joy" to sell
everything he had (Matthew 13:44). Why? Because he found a hidden
treasure worth possessing above everything else he had. He did
not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he
only needed enough money to buy the field. In a similar fashion,
God offers his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a price we can
afford! We can't pay the full price for the rich and abundant life
which God offers us - but when we willingly exchange our life for
the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare.
Searching for the greatest treasure of all
The pearl of great price also tells us a similar lesson (Matthew
13:45). Pearls in the ancient world came to represent the
supremely valuable. Why would a merchant sell everything for a
single pearl of peerless value? No doubt because he was attracted
to what he thought was the greatest treasure he could possess for
himself. On another occasion Jesus told his disciples, "do not
throw your pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). Beautiful
unblemished pearls were intended to enhance the beauty and value
of those who wore them. Do you recognize and value the hidden
treasure of God's kingdom and the peerless pearl which the Lord
Jesus offers to all who believe in him?
Discovering heavenly treasure
Discovering God's kingdom is like stumbling across a hidden
treasure or finding the one pearl of great price. When we discover
the kingdom of God we receive the greatest possible treasure - the
Lord himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this incomparable
treasure could mean many things - our friends, possessions, job,
our "style of life", what we do with our free time. Treasure has a
special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing,
the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is
our highest treasure.
In this parable what does the treasure of the kingdom of heaven
refer to? It certainly refers to the kingdom of God in all its
aspects (a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in
the Holy Spirit - Romans 14:17). But in a special way, the
Lord himself is the treasure we seek. "If the Almighty is your
gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in
the Almighty" (Job 22:22-23). Is the Lord the treasure
and delight of your heart?
Lord Jesus, reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom. Help me to set my heart on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free my heart of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things that I may freely give to you all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me. May I always find joy and delight in your presence.
Psalm 99:5-7,9
5 Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies, and the statutes that he gave them.
9 Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Finding the pearl of great price, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"Now among the words of all kinds that profess to announce truth,
and among those who report them, he seeks pearls. Think of the
prophets as, so to speak, the pearls that receive the dew of
heaven and become pregnant with the word of truth from heaven.
They are goodly pearls that, according to the phrase here set
forth, the merchant seeks. And the chief of the pearls, on the
finding of which the rest are found with it, is the very costly
pearl, the Christ of God, the Word that is superior to the
precious letters and thoughts in the law and the prophets. When
one finds this pearl all the rest are easily released. Suppose,
then, that one is not a disciple of Christ. He possesses no pearls
at all, much less the very costly pearl, as distinguished from
those that are cloudy or darkened." (excerpt from
COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 18.8)
