The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value
Matthew 13:44-46
For only consisting of a few sentences, these parables tell us a lot about how people come to faith and the priority faith should take in our lives.
The first parable tells of a man who stumbles across a treasure in a field. The second parable tells of a man who finds a fine pearl after intentionally looking for it. This gives us some insight into some of the ways the Holy Spirit works to bring people into faith. Some people will be wandering through life with no intention to find God, to find truth, or to find faith. Then someone comes into their lives or they have an experience that brings them face to face with God and the loving grace He offers. Some people spend their time and energy searching for truth, searching for something more. They might try different religions, different causes, different purposes for life. Then they encounter a person or an experience that brings the one, true God into focus. These two parables encourage us to pray for people around us who aren’t in the faith and encourage us by revealing that God can bring faith to anyone – whether they’re looking for it or not.
Interestingly, both men react to this treasure they’ve found in the same way. They each sell all that they have and secures the treasure. When the Holy Spirit gives us faith and brings us into a relationship with God, it becomes the most important thing in our lives. I know what you’re thinking, “he’s a pastor, of course he thinks that faith is the most important thing in the world, everyone believes that their passion is the most important thing.” That’s fair, but the reality is that God is our creator and our redeemer. Our faith in Him promises us eternity and nothing else in our lives can possibly be more important than what He has for us. So if we need to “sell” something to secure and protect our faith, we shouldn’t hesitate. Our faith isn’t just one part of who we are and what we do, it’s not just another box in our busy lives that we put next to our job, our family, our friends, our hobbies, etc. It is the house that everything else in our lives fits into. Is that a parable within the explanation of a parable? Maybe, I don’t know? Go in peace, serve the Lord!
Focus on God
We are reminded in these verses that God graciously draws people to Him
Function in Our Lives
We are encouraged to make our faith the most important thing in our lives
Topics to Pray About:
Thank God for the treasure of the Gospel
Confess to God times where your faith takes a back seat to other parts of life
Ask God to work in the lives of people who haven’t found the treasure yet
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value
Matthew 13:44-46
For only consisting of a few sentences, these parables tell us a lot about how people come to faith and the priority faith should take in our lives.
The first parable tells of a man who stumbles across a treasure in a field. The second parable tells of a man who finds a fine pearl after intentionally looking for it. This gives us some insight into some of the ways the Holy Spirit works to bring people into faith. Some people will be wandering through life with no intention to find God, to find truth, or to find faith. Then someone comes into their lives or they have an experience that brings them face to face with God and the loving grace He offers. Some people spend their time and energy searching for truth, searching for something more. They might try different religions, different causes, different purposes for life. Then they encounter a person or an experience that brings the one, true God into focus. These two parables encourage us to pray for people around us who aren’t in the faith and encourage us by revealing that God can bring faith to anyone – whether they’re looking for it or not.
Interestingly, both men react to this treasure they’ve found in the same way. They each sell all that they have and secures the treasure. When the Holy Spirit gives us faith and brings us into a relationship with God, it becomes the most important thing in our lives. I know what you’re thinking, “he’s a pastor, of course he thinks that faith is the most important thing in the world, everyone believes that their passion is the most important thing.” That’s fair, but the reality is that God is our creator and our redeemer. Our faith in Him promises us eternity and nothing else in our lives can possibly be more important than what He has for us. So if we need to “sell” something to secure and protect our faith, we shouldn’t hesitate. Our faith isn’t just one part of who we are and what we do, it’s not just another box in our busy lives that we put next to our job, our family, our friends, our hobbies, etc. It is the house that everything else in our lives fits into. Is that a parable within the explanation of a parable? Maybe, I don’t know? Go in peace, serve the Lord!
Focus on God
We are reminded in these verses that God graciously draws people to Him
Function in Our Lives
We are encouraged to make our faith the most important thing in our lives
Topics to Pray About:
In His Service,
J. LeBorious