The Hidden Treasure
Matthew 13:44
Pastor Jerry Koller

Review: We have been looking at the parables that are recorded in the 13th chapter of Matthew. As we have examined the first four, I have mentioned that all eight of these parables deal with the kingdom of God. Each time we have looked at a parable, I have mentioned that Jesus was illustrating something about the kingdom in the age, or the period of time, between His first and second coming.

Overview:
· The overall focus is on the kingdom of God.
· The kingdom is similar to something physical or tangible.
· It is like a treasure.
· This treasure has been hidden in a field.
· There is a man in the parable.
· The man finds the hidden treasure
· Afterwards, the man hides it back in the field.
· He then joyfully sold all he had to buy the field.

There are some elements in this parable that we already can identify.
· The field stood for the world.
· The man is a reference to Jesus.

Previous mention of “hidden.”

Jesus used the word “bought” in the Parable of the Pearl. Therefore, there is a connection between the two just like there was in the Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast.

The word “treasure” was used by Jesus in the Parable of the Householder which shows that there is a connection between the two.

Meaning of “Hidden”

1. It can mean to hide, conceal, or be hid.
· This meaning is found in the Parable of the Talents in which the servant who was given one talent took what was given, dug a hole, and hid that which was entrusted to him by his master.

2. It can mean to escape notice.

3. It has to do with being concealed so that it may not become known.
· This is the meaning that best fits in the parable of the Treasure.

The word “found” means to be discovered, recognized, or detected.
· It means the man recognized the treasure for what it is.

This man takes the treasure and hides it again. The word “hid” has a different meaning.

Here, the word hiding has to do with being placed into something, to be concealed into something like yeast into dough.

Jesus does not take this treasure out of the field, or the world. Rather, He places it into the world.

What caused the man joy?
· …Placing the treasure into the world so that the will of God may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The kingdom Jesus ushered in at His first coming will continue affect the world in which it is placed until Jesus returns again.
· This brought Jesus great joy.

This divine plan included more than just ushering in the kingdom.
· i.e redemption of all creation—including man.
· Redemption would come at a great cost. In this parable, this was made clear in the statement: (he) went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Some feel Jesus’ death on the cross paid a ransom to Satan. However, this Ransom Theory was refuted nearly 1,000 years ago.
· Satan cannot demand anything—much less anything from God.

One definition of the word sell (or sold) means to give up for a price or a reward.

Jesus did not give up His right to be God so that He could become a mere mortal.
· It does not mean Jesus gave up His Godhead status of equality with the Father and the Spirit.
· It does not mean Jesus emptied Himself of His divine essence.
· There is nothing in heaven or on earth that can change the nature or essence of Jesus—not even Jesus Himself.
· It refers to the outward expression of God’s innermost nature.

Jesus bought the field—including you and I—for as 1 Cor. 6:20 and 7:23 both say, You were bought at a price.

That is Jesus’ divine perspective regarding the kingdom of God.

· Lacey Schultz (daughter of Clint & Kristen Schultz) has been released from the hospital. Her new baby Ace continues to do well in the NICU while he strengthens and grows after being born at 32 weeks.
· Jim Seagren (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) is recovering from an additional surgery due to cancer. They are unable to remove the tumor and are trying to bypass blockages caused by it. The prognosis is not good as the cancer is spread extensively through his body.
· Joe Collins (father-in-law of Kim Collins) has been released from the hospital and continues oxygen and steroid treatments at home in FL. Hospital doctors have advised him to return to MI as soon as he is strong enough, so he can follow up with his regular physicians, as they expect it to be 4-6 months before he is fully recovered after getting Covid.
· The Family of Norma Leins who passed away on 2/13 at the age of 101. Norma was a long time member of FBC.
· Steve Follman is recovering from surgery for a total knee replacement.
· Randy Follman (brother of Steve Follman) is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
· Deborah Kirby (Vasha Ferguson's sister) is in a rehab center following a massive stroke in July 2020. Praise God that medical insurance has been upgraded to meet her needs. Her recovery is slowly progressing and although it is greatly painful, she is gaining movement on the left side with the help of therapy.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com