Matthew 13:44 says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a 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 the field” (NKJV). In this chapter the Lord Jesus told seven parables that illustrate the kingdom between His rejection and His coming in power and glory to establish His kingdom on earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. The parable before us has often been misinterpreted by some who think that it pictures a sinner seeking salvation. According to this view the “man” is the sinner and the “treasure” is salvation. The biggest problem with that view is that it would mean that the sinner “goes and sells all that he has” to obtain salvation; in other words, it would teach that salvation can be earned in some way. This would contradict many scriptures which teach us that salvation is a “gift” and cannot be earned. Ephesians 2:8 declares, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

We believe the “man” in this parable is the Lord Jesus Christ; the “treasure” is His earthly people Israel; and the “field” is the world. When God first chose the nation of Israel out of all the nations in the world, He said this about them in Exodus 19:5, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a SPECIAL TREASURE to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine” (NKJV). But we know that they did NOT obey His commandments and when Jesus came to present Himself to Israel as their King, they rejected Him. John 1:11 tells us, “He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Jesus then went to the cross to redeem (which means “buy”) them and the world as well, which is pictured in our parable by the words, “for the joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field.”

How did Israel treat Jesus after His death and resurrection? They went on rejecting Him and so God judged them by allowing them to be scattered throughout the world. The Lord had predicted this in Luke 21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be LED AWAY CAPTIVE INTO ALL NATIONS.” This is why the Lord said, “The kingdom of heaven is like A TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD.” But prior to the Lord’s return, many Israelites will repent and will be ready to receive Him when He appears in power and glory. When He does appear, He will not only claim the world as His own, but He will claim His people Israel as His own and gather them out of the nations. Matthew 25:30-31 confirms this truth: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER.” At that time the world will see that Israel is indeed His SPECIAL TREASURE! Let’s close by reading Malachi 3:17, “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in the day that I do make, even a PECULIAR TREASURE; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (RV).  (202.1)  (DO)