MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
JESUS
THE GREAT TREASURE
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” Matthew 13:44, NASB
T
his story describes a before they had an opportunity field — probably an to retrieve their treasure. agricultural field. This Here in Jesus' parable, we field has a treasure hidden are told that the man finds in its soil. We are not told the treasure. It appears he was if the treasure is encased not intentionally searching within a wooden chest, for it, as this land belonged sack, or metal container. to someone else. Perhaps We are not told how he was hired to put in a the treasure came to be in crop in the springtime. this field. However, it was When the man found it, he common to hide a treasure for was filled with excitement. safekeeping in case someone This treasure was worth might rob your home while more than his wildest you were away. This need was dreams. He knew he must pressing because banks were have this treasure, but it not readily available at this belonged to another person. time in history. We remember He inquired as to the cost that the foolish servant hid his of buying this field. The master's money in the ground good news is that it is for in the parable of the talents. sale. The bad news is that During times of war or the price was very high. occupation, it was common to He decided to sell hide your treasures in a field everything he had to secure with the expectation that when this field. I wonder what this things were safe, the treasure "everything" entailed. Perhaps it could be retrieved. The land meant selling his home, means of Israel was a place wellof transportation, prized acquainted with wars of all donkey, jewelry, and family kinds. In their past, they had heirlooms. It meant cleaning experienced the Maccabean out his bank account, maybe War, circa 160 B.C., as well as even borrowing from friends. the Roman conquest of 63 B.C. I remember playing around Sometimes people would die in the family barn as a child.
4
Alberta Adventist News
MARCH 2020
On one accession, I found hidden within the walls a large tobacco can (my father smoked). Upon opening the lid, I discovered, to my amazement, that it was filled with coins and paper money. This turned out to be my father's family savings. To him, it was a small fortune. The meaning of this parable is readily apparent. Jesus is the one reflected as the treasure. The value of knowing Jesus as a personal Friend is of more importance than anything we can find in this world. Our attitude toward Jesus should be the same as the man who found the treasure hidden in the field. We must be willing to sacrifice all to secure this treasure of great price.
Gary Hodder
President Alberta Conference
