The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

When I was a child I used to go and watch an old man at the park as he scoured the sandy playgrounds with his metal detector. It was a hobby he had picked up in his retirement, “something to get him out of the house.” He would come and find treasures—lost coins or soda pop tabs were his main discoveries. However, no matter how disappointing his last find, it never failed, as the detector would begin to beat in that robotic rhythm, indicating that treasure lay somewhere just beneath his feet, his eyes would light up and the thrill of the hunt would take over… What if this time he found something of great value?

“Again, 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.

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”—Mathew 13:44-46

I think about this man, as I read this parable. About his commitment to search, despite the fact that he may come home empty handed. Even in his old age, the excitement of recovering lost riches brought about a youthful energy that seemed long gone in his day-to-day routine. As I’ve grown older myself, I think too about the search for pearl of great price.

What is the pearl of great price? Is it the wealth transfer? It is not. Is it the favor to be able to do more things for the Kingdom? Although, I am looking forward to both, this is not it either.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 

 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 

 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”—Mathew 25:1-13

The pearl of great price is a relationship with Father God. It is a restored partnership with the creator of the universe made available to us by way of His son, Yeshua. It is an expectant waiting for the return of Messiah, as we prepare our hearts and minds to hear those words “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” It is an ever transforming, life changing, intimate relationship.

Recently, I was discussing with a friend about how discouraging it is to watch so many wrestle with purpose and destiny. To see them run from one thing to the next in hopes that this new treasure will satisfy the deep longings of their souls. There are so many distractions that keep people from finding the true pearl of great price, and it breaks my heart.

And yet, when I think about it, I’m still in process of finding that pearl myself—probably always will be. There are many days where the distractions of life take over and my passion and zeal for the Lord are overshadowed by meeting the day-to-day needs of life. Then there are moments like this one, where I sense a deep moving of the Holy Spirt, working like a metal detector in my heart. The beep, beep, beep of the Spirit picks over the soda pop tabs, and the bottle caps to relocate where I’ve lost that pearl once again in the sand. When it is rediscovered my passion for the Lord is reignited, and the thrill of finding the treasure of Him and Him alone overtakes me. It is in that moment that I surrender all in exchange for His presence.

In this third-day season of time, we must not ignore the prodding of the Holy Spirit when He asks us to seek the Lord with our whole heart. This act of obedience will literally make the difference between those whose wicks are trimmed and ready, and those who will be found waiting, and unprepared.

Although, I truly understand that there is much Kingdom work to be done, we must not exchange time spent with Him for the work we must do. Although there are many things we can do in our own strength, I advise you to seek the Lord in every aspect of your day. Seek His presence, even in the mundane, and you will find Him. You may have to dig a little, but He will be found shinning brighter and brighter as we search diligently for Him.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]