515. MAT 13:44. THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Mat_13:44. The Hidden Treasure

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."’97Mat_13:44.

The kingdom of heaven, or the gospel dispensation, is here likened to a treasure hidden in a field. Probably referring to such cases where people under fear of invasion were in the habit of taking their riches and concealing them in the ground, or else the Saviour may refer to fields containing mines of precious ore; but either sense will accord with the general scope of the parable. Let us consider, then, the gospel as a treasure. As a hidden treasure. As found by the penitent believer. As purchased by the sacrifice of all. And as producing unspeakable joy. Consider,

I. The gospel as a treasure. It is often so described. "This treasure we have in earthen vessels," &c.: 2Co_4:7. The gospel is,

1. A treasure of knowledge and truth. Celestial wisdom is more precious than gold. More to be desired than rubies, &c. God’s saving truth is beyond all description invaluable. Hence we are exhorted to "buy it, and to sell it not." "Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss," &c.; Php_3:8. The gospel is a treasure,

2. Of precious promises. "Exceeding great and precious promises;" 2Pe_1:4. Promises of pardon. Acceptance. Adoption. Sanctification. All-sufficient grace. A triumphant death, and eternal glory. The gospel is a treasure,

3. Of distinguished blessings. The Divine favor. Unspeakable peace. Ecstatic joy. It makes its recipients "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ;" Rom_8:17. It is a treasure,

4. Of endless life. "Gift of God is eternal life." "This is the record that God hath given to us’97eternal life." This includes the "crown of life." A "throne." A "kingdom." An "inheritance, incorruptible," &c. Observe,

II. This treasure is hidden. It may be considered to have been hidden,

1. In the ancient types and sacrifices. These all contained the germs or seeds of gospel truth. They all referred to the Messiah and the salvation we should obtain. They pointed to the Lamb of God, &c. Hidden,

2. In Old Testament predictions and promises. These all testified of Christ, and referred to his advent, work, offices, sufferings, and glory. They were radiant with hope and joy to a guilty world. Yet in their metaphorical costume and figurative style, the gospel was rather hidden than fully revealed. It is hidden, even under the Christian dispensation,

3. To the prejudiced, worldly, and careless. Hence, when Christ revealed to the Jews the character of his kingdom and the blessings he came to bestow, they were so prejudiced that they could not discern in him their long expected Messiah, and they despised his person and rejected his offered grace. "He came to his own," &c. So the worldly and the careless perceive nothing precious or worthy of their attention in the announcements of the gospel. Worldly riches, honors, or pleasures conceal the glory and preciousness of the gospel from the minds of men. "If our gospel be hid," &c. In the parable we are directed to consider the gospel treasure,

III. As found by the penitent believer. Christ revealed himself to the lowly and the penitent. The pharisees found not the treasure, but the humble, self-convicted, penitent publican did.

(1.) Observe, the gospel is calculated to produce this state of mind. To level the towering self-righteous thoughts of the mind. To abase and prostrate the sinner in the dust.

(2.) To such only is the gospel treasure promised. "Come unto me, all ye that labor," &c.; Mat_11:28. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," &c.; Mat_13:29. "A broken and a contrite heart," &c.

(3.) Such only find the treasure. "The full soul loatheth the honeycomb," &c. "Others say they are rich and increased in goods," &c. Others imagine they are whole, and need not a physician, &c. Hearing, understanding, believing, is the order appointed for enriching the souls of men with the treasure of the gospel. But observe,

IV. This treasure is purchased by the sacrifice of all. It is obvious that this does not imply any meritorious acts on the part of the sinner. The gospel is a system of grace, excluding all worthiness on the part of the sinner. But in securing the treasure of the gospel, it not only cannot be on the ground of the sinner’s merit, but he must,

1. Be willing to part with all his imaginary excellences to obtain it. He must feel and confess that he has nothing to pay with before he can be forgiven.

"I nothing am, and nothing have,

My glory’s swallowed up in shame."

2. He must renounce all self-devised schemes of Divine acceptance. Not only merit, but all other methods of reconciliation to God, except by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.

3. He must abandon all his sins. "Let the wicked forsake his way," &c. "When the wicked turneth away from his wickedness," &c. See Isa_1:16, &c.

4. He must believingly yield himself up to the Lord. "I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God," &c.; Rom_12:1. God demands the confidential surrender of the heart; the whole soul, cheerfully and believingly, and in the spirit of self-denial. They first gave themselves to the Lord," &c. The cross must be taken up, and all forsaken, incompatible with the glory of the Saviour. Notice the finding of this treasure, V. Produces unspeakable joy. The gospel is glad tidings of great joy, &c. Hence the poet exclaims,

"Hark! the glad sound, the Saviour comes,

The Saviour promised long.

Let every heart exult with joy,

And every voice be song."

This joy is real’97spiritual’97increasing. And tendeth to the celestial joys and rapturous delights of eternal glory.

Application

1. How thankful we should be for the gospel.

2. How solicitous to possess its invaluable treasures.

3. How readily part with all for its blessings.

4. And while rejoicing in its possession, how we should recommend it to all impoverished sinners around us.

"To tell to sinners all around,

What a dear Saviour we have found."

5. Let us take care and hide this treasure 10. our hearts. Hold it fast. Sell it not, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS