“Beloved, let us love one another, for LOVE IS OF GOD; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE…We love Him BECAUSE He FIRST LOVED US.” (1 John 4:7-8, 19)
The Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, so they gathered together. “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, TESTING HIM, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus replied: “‘LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your HEART and with all your SOUL and with all your MIND.’ This is the FIRST AND GREATEST commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole Law and the writings of the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40)
This is a parable demonstrating this love, “…the kingdom of heaven is like TREASURE HIDDEN in A FIELD, which a man FOUND AND HID; and for joy over it he goes and SELLS ALL THAT HE HAS AND BUYS THAT FIELD.” (Matthew 13:44) This is the way I have taught this in the past and the way that most commentaries explain this, WE discover this treasure, WE hide it in the field, WE sell all that WE have and buy this field.
Here is the problem with this interpretation.
- WE CANNOT EVEN FIND THE KINGDOM: It has to be revealed to us, “Now when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come WITH OBSERVATION; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God IS WITHIN YOU.” (Luke 17:20-21)
- WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HIDE THE KINGDOM: If we cannot find it we certainly cannot hide it.
- WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY THE KINGDOM: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Jesus paid the ULTIMATE PRICE.
What is the real meaning?
- THE FIELD IS THE WORLD: “The field is the world…” (Matthew 13:38)
- THE MAN IS JESUS: Jesus spoke everything that is into existence. “…BY HIM (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created BY HIM, AND FOR HIM…” (Colossians 1:16)
- THE TREASURE IS US: “Now, if you will obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a PECULIAR TREASURE UNTO ME above all people: for all the earth is mine…” (Exodus 19:5)
OH, IF WE COULD JUST UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH WE MEAN TO GOD…“We love Him BECAUSE He FIRST LOVED US.” (1 John 4:19)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham