JESUS THE GREAT TREASURE

Message From The President

By Gary Hodder | President Alberta Conference

“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

This story describes a field—probably an agricultural field. This field has a treasure hidden in its soil. We are not told if the treasure is encased within a wooden chest, sack, or metal container.

We are not told how the treasure came to be in this field. However, it was common to hide a treasure for safekeeping in case someone might rob your home while you were away. This need was pressing because banks were not readily available at this time in history. We remember that the foolish servant hid his master's money in the ground in the parable of the talents.

During times of war or occupation, it was common to hide your treasures in a field with the expectation that when things were safe, the treasure could be retrieved. The land of Israel was a place well acquainted with wars of all kinds. In their past, they had experienced the Maccabean War, circa 160 B.C., as well as the Roman conquest of 63 B.C. Sometimes people would die “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 before they had an opportunity to retrieve their treasure.

Here in Jesus' parable, we are told that the man finds the treasure. It appears he was not intentionally searching for it, as this land belonged to someone else. Perhaps he was hired to put in a crop in the springtime.

When the man found it, he was filled with excitement. This treasure was worth more than his wildest dreams. He knew he must have this treasure, but it belonged to another person.

He inquired as to the cost of buying this field. The good news is that it is for sale. The bad news is that the price was very high. He decided to sell everything he had to secure this field. I wonder what this "everything" entailed. Perhaps it meant selling his home, means of transportation, prized donkey, jewelry, and family heirlooms. It meant cleaning out his bank account, maybe even borrowing from friends.

I remember playing around in the family barn as a child.

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.

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.