The Costliness Of Possessing Christ – Part 2
THE DISCOVERY OF A GREAT TREASURE
MATTHEW 13:44 – LAST SUNDAY’S TEXT – THE HIDDEN TREASURE IN THE FIELD
MATTHEW 13:45, 46 – TODAY’S TEXT – THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
MATTHEW 13:34 – “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them”:
MATTHEW 13:35 – “But it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been KEPT SECRET from the foundation of the world”.
Matthew 13:36 – “THEN JESUS SENT THE MULTITUDES AWAY, and went into the house: AND HIS DISCIPLES CAME UNTO HIM, Saying, declare unto us the parable of the (wheat and the) tares of the field”.
Christ Jesus has sent the multitudes away, and now He is alone with His disciples. Then, the disciples ask Him about “The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares”. Previously, Christ Jesus explained “The Parable of the Sower of the Seeds”, in MATTHEW 13:18-23, and now the disciples ask Him about this other parable, “The Parable of the Wheat and the tares”, to be explained in MATTHEW 13:36, and He explains this parable also (MATTHEW 13:37-43). Later on in MATTHEW 13:47, 48, Christ Jesus gives another parable, “The Parable of the Dragnet in the Sea. Then Christ Jesus explains that parable in MATTHEW 13:49, 50.
* BUT “SANDWICHED” BETWEEN THESE THREE PARABLES THAT ARE EXPLAINED – ARE THESE TWO PARABLES THAT ARE NOT EXPLAINED:
*THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE “A TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD – MATTHEW 13:44
* THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE “A MERCHANT MAN SEEKING GOODLY PEARLS MATTHEW 13:45, 46
* IN BOTH OF THE “UNEXPLAINED PARABLES” IS THE IDEA THAT ONCE THE “GREAT TREASURE” IS FOUND, THE PERSON SEARCHING FOR THE TREASURE HAS TO PAY THE PRICE TO OBTAIN THE TREASURE!
* MATTHEW 13:45 – “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a MERCHANT MAN, seeking GOODLY (COSTLY) PEARLS”:
“AGAIN” – This word suggests that this parable goes with the previous one in Matthew 13:44, because the “Parable of the Treasure”, in MATTHEW 13:44, is so similar to the “Parable of the Pearl”. Jesus is presenting a picture to help us understand “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”. One must be sure to read both of these verses together, which make up this parable, to see that these two verses make the point that “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND COSTLY”.
“MERCHANT” – Literally means: a passenger (as by sea) and thus a traveler, one who travels about, which came to mean, a person traveling for trading and thus a merchant or wholesaler dealer, in contrast to a retailer. The word emphasizes those who travel for merchandise and profit.
THE “MERCHANTS” – WERE, ARE, AND WILL BE, “THE GREAT MEN OF THE EARTH” (REVELATION 18:23), who were powerful men who used their great wealth to influence the affairs of the world and to further their own power and interest.
Throughout history, the boundary between “Kings” and “Powerful Merchants” has been blurred. In our day, perhaps more than previous eras, wealthy heads of powerful multi-national corporations may have greater influence over the affairs of the world then they’re public elected national counterparts (ISAIAH 23:8). While the “Kings” of this earth wield political power, “Merchants” wield great financial power.
“GOODLY” – Means “Beautiful, good, free from defects, fine, lovely, AND AS A RESULT OF GREAT VALUE”!
* MATTHEW 13:46 – “Who, when he had found one pearl of GREAT PRICE, went and SOLD ALL THAT HE HAD, AND BOUGHT IT”.
Again, historically, the context of this parable is important to understand this parable. In Jesus’s day, “Pearls” were the most highly valued “Gems” in society and were even purchased as investments. A merchant would look for high-quality pearls to purchase and/or sell to others, as an investment, much like we would do with diamonds today. In that day, pearls were more valuable than diamonds or any other jewel.
* CHRIST JESUS IS THE “PEARL” OF GREAT PRICE (WITHOUT DEFECTS – THE SPOTLESS LAMB OF GOD) THAT THE MERCHANT FOUND AND WHAT “THE MERCHANT” HAD TO PAY ALL THAT HE HAD – TO OBTAIN THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE!
* WHO IN THIS PARABLE IS “THE ORIGINAL OWNER” OF THIS COSTLY PEARL, AND WHY WOULD HE BE WILLING TO PART WITH IT?
* THE “ORIGINAL OWNER” OF “THE PEARLY OF GREAT PRICE” AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF “THE TREASURE HID IN A FIELD” – IS THE SAME IN THESE TWO PARABLES – IT IS “GOD THE FATHER”!
I BELIEVE WE FIND THE MEANING OF THE “PEARL” IN GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSES.
* Christ Jesus is God the Father’s most valuable and treasured “Possession”. Only one thing would cause God the Father to give up this “Priceless Pearl” – HE DID IT OUT OF LOVE! God the Father and God the Son made a covenant, before the creation of the world, and the Heavenly Father agreed to part with His Son. He gave Him up as a sacrifice to redeem mankind!
The Apostle Peter refers to the high price of this precious gift – The costly blood of Christ Jesus (1 PETER 1:19, 20). Think of it, the God of the universe has made His “Precious Pearl” available to all OF MANKIND. Yet, the religious leaders and the Jewish people of Jesus’s time put no real value on Jesus, and He was betrayed and sold for “30 pieces of silver”, the price of a common slave!
MATTHEW 27:9 – “Then was fulfilled that which was just spoken of by Jeremy (Jeremiah) the prophet, saying, and they took the 30 pieces of silver, THE PRICE OF HIM THAT WAS VALUED, WHOM THEY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID VALUE”;
I BELIEVE IT GRIEVES GOD TODAY, TO SEE HOW LITTLE VALUE HIS PEOPLE PLACE ON THIS “PRICELESS PEARL”.
To some, Christ Jesus is no more than a museum piece. People visit Him once a week to admire him or praise Him, saying, “What beauty!” How utterly glorious. They don’t barter with the “OWNER” to possess it at any cost. God intends His pearl to be found by those who are OBSESSED WITH POSSESSING HIM. It’s as if He is saying: “My pearl is available only to those who place a great value on Him”.
LUKE 9:23 – “And said to THEM ALL (ALL OF HIS DISCIPLES), if any man will come after me let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me”.
LUKE 9:24 – “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it”.
LUKE 9:25 – “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, OR BE CAST AWAY”?
HOSEA 2:7 – “And SHE (GOD’S PEOPLE) shall follow after HER LOVERS, but she shall NOT overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall NOT find them: then shall she say, I WILL GO AND RETURN TO MY FIRST HUSBAND (GOD); FOR THEN WAS IT BETTER WITH ME THAN NOW (REVELATION 2:4, 5)”.
Thus, the merchant man in this parable represents a small band of believers today. These servants have found Jesus the answer to every need and cry of their hearts, and He has become the central focus of their lives. They have set their hearts to go after this prize with everything in them. And they’re going to lay hold of Him at any cost.
MATTHEW 6:33 – “BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU”.
* WHAT DID IT COST THE MERCHANT MAN, TO OBTAIN THIS “PEARL OF IMMENSE VALUE?
The “Merchant Man” realized that the “Priceless Pearl” could not be bought with any amount of money – there was simply not enough gold or silver on the earth to match its worth, and the merchant knew this. He realized, he could spend his whole life, amassing wealth, to obtain it, but his efforts would be all in vain. I picture the merchant man, telling the “OWNER”: “Look, I’ve got to have this Pearl”. “I’ll gladly barter my entire lifetime of service to you. Whatever you’re asking me, I’ll do it. Just let me possess the Pearl! “GIVE ME YOUR HEART,” THE OWNER SAYS!. That’s the cost. Naturally, we read that when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it (MATTHEW 13:46).
MATTHEW 22:37 – “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy HEART, and with all thy SOUL, and with all thy MIND”..
WHAT WAS THE “FORMER OWNER’S” (THE HEAVENLY FATHER) RESPONSE TO THAT KIND OF DESIRE TO OBTAIN THE PEARL?
This person sold his very soul for the “Priceless Pearl”. It cost him his mind, body, and soul, “All that he had”. Yet, the “OWNER” told him he would gain something in return: “You will be my bond servant. But you’re going to be much more than that to me. By giving me your heart, you’re letting me adopt you. I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU A PART OF MY FAMILY! THEN YOU WILL BE MY HEIR! YOU’RE GOING TO POSSESS THE “PEARL” WITH ME!
WHAT SHOULD THESE SHORT TWO PARABLES MEAN TO US TODAY?
Christ Jesus is the hidden “Treasure chest in the field”. In Him, I have found all that I’ll ever need. To me, that means the following: “No more trying to find purpose in ministry or looking for titles of such. No more looking for fulfillment in people. No more need to build something for God or be successful. No more keeping up with the crowd or proving something. No more searching for ways to please people. No more trying to think or reason my way out of my difficulties.
I have found what I’m looking for. My treasure, my “Priceless Pearl”, is Christ Jesus. And all that the “Owner” asks of me is to let me “Adopt you”. “I love you, and have already signed the papers with my own Son’s blood”. YOU ARE NOW A JOINT HEIR WITH CHRIST JESUS – IN ALL THAT I OWN!
I’m still in the process of selling everything I have. I’m still giving the Father my time, my thoughts, my will, and my plans. Yet I know, I’m exchanging it all for “The Treasure”. I’m trading it all in to buy “The Living Water”, “The Bread of Life”, “The Milk and Honey of Joy and Peace”. And I’m doing it all without money. The cost to me is my love, my trust, my faith, in Him and in His Word!
What a bargain, I give up my “Filthy rags of self-reliance and good works”. I lay aside my “Worn out shoes of striving”. I leave behind my “Sleepless nights on the streets of doubt and fear”. And in return, I GET ADOPTED BY THE KING OF KINGS! This is what happens when you seek the “Pearl,” and “The Hidden Treasure” till you find him. Jesus offers you everything He has. He brings you joy, peace, purpose, and Holiness. WHAT IS HE WORTH TO YOU TODAY? To get Him, it may cost you more than you’re willing to pay, but I urge you to start digging today and start selling all!
