After explaining the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat to his disciples, Jesus told them four parables privately.
This is the first parable that he told his disciples. (Morgan, THE PARABLES AND METAPHORS OF OUR LORD, p. 66).
This parable is found only in Matthew 13:44.
The Story
"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 went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44, New International Version).
Jesus again tells a parable about the kingdom. A man happens upon a hidden treasure in a field and is exuberant.
He then places it back in hiding. He leaves, sells all he has and buys the field in which the treasure is hidden.
The Interpretation
Jesus is talking to his disciples, who would immediately grasp the truth of this parable, since they had experienced it firsthand. The field is the world and the hidden treasure is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation. As the man in the parable sold all he had to buy the natural treasure, the disciples had surrendered all they had to the Lordship of Christ. Please notice that in this parable, the individual was not actively looking for Christ when he found the Lord. However, the Holy Spirit guides us many times when we are not aware of his guidance. Also note that the story is realistic to this world. Many people would not tell the owner that a treasure was buried in the field before buying it. Jesus was not condoning dishonesty. However, Jesus was emphasizing the man's "earnestness in securing the treasure found, his fixed purpose to make it his own, and his prudence." (Trench, THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD. p. 47).
Central Truth
CHRIST (AND HIS SALVATION) IS SUPERIOR TO EVERYTHING ELSE.
Conclusion
Let us hide the Gospel (Word of God) in our hearts in order that it might not be taken away from us. But, on the
other hand, let us share this treasure with others. Paradoxically, giving it away to others helps us keep it!
END