Matthew 13:44

DISCOURSE: 1364
THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Matthew 13:44. The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in afield; the which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

THE Gospel, as viewed in various lights, admits of various representations. It is generally set forth as small in its beginnings, but increasing in importance. But we must not therefore suppose it to be of small value. Our Lord sufficiently guards against this mistake by the parable before us. He shews us, that the Gospel, even while hid from our view, is exceeding precious—
It will be proper to shew,

I. Why the kingdom of heaven is likened to a “treasure hid”—

“The kingdom of heaven” is an expression peculiar to the New Testament—
[By it we are not always to understand heaven itself; it is frequently used to signify Christ’s spiritual kingdom; and it is so called, because it is the re-establishment of God’s empire over the hearts of men, and because what is thus begun in grace will be consummated in glory.]
This may well be considered as “a treasure”—
[There is no other thing so deserving of this name. Every one that is possessed of it may say with truth, “All things are mine [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:21.].” He is “blessed—with all spiritual blessings—in heavenly things—in Christ [Note: Ephesians 1:3.].” Every earthly pleasure is contemptible in comparison of it.]

But it is compared to a treasure “hid in a field”—
[The mysteries of the Gospel were from eternity hid in the bosom of the Father [Note: Ephesians 3:9.]. Neither men nor angels could possibly have devised them. Who could have thought of bringing man back to God through the death of God’s only Son? And of reducing him to a willing subjection by the operation of God’s Spirit? A finite mind could never have conceived such an idea: but these mysteries, though revealed, are still hid from the natural man [Note: 1 Corinthians 2:14.]. They still appear foolishness, and are a stumbling-block to many [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:23.]. Paul, though so learned and religious, could not receive them in his unconverted state [Note: Acts 22:3.]: nor would he ever have embraced them, if God had not opened his eyes [Note: Acts 9:17.]. The Apostles, though instructed by our Lord himself all the time of his ministry, needed, after all, a divine illumination [Note: Luke 24:45.]: nor is a spirit of revelation less necessary for us. To this very hour there is as much ground as ever for that devout acknowledgment [Note: Matthew 11:25.]—The “field” indeed, wherein the treasure is hid. is open and accessible to all [Note: John 5:39.]; but we shall perish for lack of it. unless God do for us as he did for Hagar [Note: Genesis 21:16; Genesis 21:19.]. We must all adopt the prayer of David [Note: Psalms 119:18.]—]

Its intrinsic worth. joined with the difficulty of finding it, must render the acquisition delightful.

II.

The emotions which a discovery of it will produce—

The illustration given by our Lord is peculiarly apt. A man who should find a treasure, would have a conflict in his mind—
[He would congratulate himself on his good fortune, and rejoice in his prospect of possessing so much wealth; but he would feel some dread of detection. He would fear lest another should see it, before he had an opportunity of securing it for himself. He would cover it up carefully, if he could not then carry it away; and if by purchasing the field he could gain the treasure, he would gladly pay down the price. In doing this he would use all the expedition and caution that he could; nor would he hesitate to sell all that he had, in order to complete the purchase.]

Thus is a man affected who finds the Gospel salvation—
[He is filled with joy at the glad tidings that he hears [Note: Matthew 13:20.]; he indulges a hope that he may be interested in them; he anticipates the happiness of having his sins forgiven, and of being made an heir of the heavenly inheritance. Still, however, he is not without many misgiving fears. He knows that Satan is watching to steal away the treasure [Note: Luke 8:12.]; nor can he tell but that that serpent may beguile him [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:3.]. He sees too that the world may deprive him of his hope [Note: Mark 4:19.]. Yea, he perceives in his own heart a proneness to despise the proffered mercy [Note: Matthew 22:5.]. Thus is he agitated between hope and fear. This effect was predicted by the prophets of old [Note: Isaiah 60:5.Jeremiah 33:9.], and it was, on one occasion at least, experienced by the Apostles [Note: Matthew 28:8.]: but, in the midst of all, he is determined, if possible, to possess the treasure. He undervalues every thing that can stand in competition with it; he well knows that, whatever he pay for it, he can be no loser; he approves in his heart the conduct of St. Paul [Note: Galatians 1:16.]—and is resolved to follow the advice of Solomon [Note: Proverbs 23:23.]—]

Application—

[The field, which contains this treasure, is nigh at hand. The owner invites all to go and seek the treasure: he promises that all who seek in earnest shall find it [Note: Matthew 7:7.]; yea, moreover, that all who find, shall retain it [Note: Proverbs 8:35.]. Let those then who have never found it, begin to seek. But let them adopt that prayer of the Apostle [Note: Ephesians 1:17.]—The Holy Spirit alone can give success to their endeavours [Note: John 16:13.]. And let them bear in mind the misery of those who fail [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:3.]. If any have found it, let them hold fast the prize [Note: Revelation 2:25; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 3:11.]; let them guard against every thing that may rob them of it; let them remember, it is not a small treasure, but an inexhaustible mine. Let them never regret any sacrifice they may make for it, but look forward to the complete enjoyment of it in heaven.]