«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).
WHAT DOES A HIDDEN TREASURE HAVE TO DO with the kingdom of heaven? At first glance, nothing; however . . . The parable of the hidden treasure reflects the experience of those who have discovered the treasure of the gospel. Let us see why. The first thing we see in the parable is the fact that the man who got the treasure was not looking for it; however, this fact did not prevent him from immediately perceiving its great value. That is why he sold everything he had to buy it.
The second thing is that although the parable does not give the details, it is easy to assume that when the man revealed his plans, he faced strong opposition: «His family and his neighbors think that he is acting like a madman. Looking on the field, they see no value in the neglected soil. But the man knows what he is doing.» —Christ’s Object Lessons, ch. 8, pp. 103.
There is still a third detail: the man who found the treasure not only sacrificed all that he had, but it also made him joyful. Instead of fear or uncertainty, there was joy in his heart.
Do we now see why the kingdom of heaven is «like hidden treasure»? «The gospel is the treasure. «—ibid., p. 104. A treasure that remains hidden for those who are wise in their own opinion, but which reveals its beauty to those who do not consider any «sacrifice too dear, in order to gain the treasures of truth.”-Ibid. This is something like what happened to Wilfred Grenfell.
Wilfred, a young doctor based in London, was returning home one day when he saw a large tent in the distance. Out of curiosity, he approached the place. It was an evangelistic series led by Dwight L. Moody. Wilfred was not planning on staying, but then something funny happened. Since the person who was praying took a long time to finish, Moody stood up and said, «Friends, lets sing a hymn while our brother finishes praying.» The occurrence made Grenfell stay until the end. He then attended the next program, and the next . . .
Without looking for it, Wilfred Grenfell had found a precious treasure. He would later accept Christ as his Savior and, joyfully so, «sell everything» to serve Him. As Ron and Dorothy Watts wrote, he met the medical needs of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) for about forty years; «he founded five hospitals and seven nursing stations; opened orphanages, churches and schools. He improved the living conditions of the Eskimos, natives, and whites in general.» And to think that it all began when he found a treasure he was not looking for! Or did «the Treasure» find him?
Thank You, precious Jesus, for You are my greatest treasure; and thank You for that blessed day when, without looking for You, I found You.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
