Matthew tells us Jesus spoke in parables: “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables … that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 13:34-35).
Many Christians today think parables sound very simple but according to Christ, there is a hidden truth in every parable he told. These truths can be discovered only by diligently seeking for them. Some believers skim over the parables quickly, assuming they see the obvious lesson, and move on to what they consider “deeper truth.” They want a theology that is laid out for them clearly, expounded in detail.
Jesus told a parable about the treasure in the field: “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).
The field signifies every area in the world where the gospel has been preached and received. And the man laboring in the field represents everyone who serves Jesus. This man has learned from a reliable source that treasure is buried somewhere in the field — the treasure of knowing that Christ is all he needs. All joy, direction and purpose, indeed, the very riches of heaven, are his in Jesus. So while the other workers labor halfheartedly, he starts digging furiously trying to find the treasure.
Curiously, when he finds the treasure, he immediately hides it. Why? Because he wants to be sure he is not robbed of it. He does not want anybody or anything to sidetrack him from the great truth he has found in Christ.
When Jesus says that the field worker “sells all that he has and buys the field,” it signifies for us that we exchange our self-reliance and good works, our fear and doubt, for his great gift of life. We trade in our time, our thoughts, our will, our plans, to buy the living water, the bread of life, joy and peace.
What is this treasure worth to you? To gain him, I urge you to start digging today!