Kingdom Value – The Parables of the Pearl of Great Price; The Treasure in the Field; and the Net.
The Pearl of Great Price is one of the final three parables recorded in Matthew 13. Follow Stephen March as he continues his Parables series.
The Final Three Parables in Matthew 13
In this episode of Secrets of the Kingdom, we will be finishing up our look at the kingdom parables of Matthew chapter 13. For the final three parables we find here, the context has changed a little. In Matthew 13:36, immediately after Jesus gives the lesson of the leaven, the Bible says
Then he left the crowds, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’
Matthew 13:36
And that’s where Jesus gives that explanation, before moving on to three more parables, the hidden treasure, the pearl, and the net.
The Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl
The big difference in these parables is that they weren’t given to the general crowds, only to the disciples, and in them we can see a distinct change in the tone of the lesson. Here are the first two parables he spoke to them at this time.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46
They are very similar, in fact, many people say that the lesson from both is the same, and Jesus was simply emphasizing the value of the kingdom of heaven. There are also two thoughts on these, one that says these comparisons are to show the great value of God’s gift of salvation, that mankind would be willing to give all we are and have to own it.
The other, flips it around and says they are speaking of the value that God puts on mankind, and the price he was willing to pay to redeem us, by giving His Son, Jesus, who willingly died on the cross for our sins so that we could be forgiven, and granted everlasting life. So, which one is it? Well, it’s both. The parables are similar but not identical. If we focus on what the kingdom is being compared to, we will see how both thoughts are being presented.
We are the Treasure
In the first one, the kingdom, which is those who believe in Jesus and submit to his authority, are represented by the treasure. The man who finds the treasure, doesn’t just steal it from the field and run, but makes the legitimate purchase, selling everything he has to own the treasure he has found. John 3:16 says
God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Peter would later write,
Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
I Peter 1:8
This was the cost that Jesus paid, this was value that God places on us. Enough that He would send his Son to die for us. And that price was paid for everyone who is willing to accept it.
There is no human being to whom God’s offer of grace and forgiveness has not been extended, though sadly, many have passed on it, and rejected God’s gift. Still, the fact that Jesus would suffer and die on the cross, proves to us how much he loves, and treasures his kingdom.
The Pearl of Great Value
In the second parable, that of the pearl, the kingdom comparison is not put on the object but on the person. Jesus says again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. Now, Jesus is speaking of the response of the believer to the gospel.
What’s interesting here is that at first he is described as searching for fine pearls. It’s plural, and I can’t help but think of all the different pursuits we may have in life. Happiness, fortune, fame, peace, a good career, family, adventure, meaning, even religion. All of these can be noble pursuits, but they can also consume us, they can elude us, some of them even when we think we have found them, can leave us unfulfilled. But then the merchant doesn’t find a “fine pearl” he finds one pearl of great value.
What is Promised Through Christ
When we think of everything that God promises us through Jesus Christ, it’s easy to see the value of the gift. We also see that some of them are even on the list of things we may have already been searching for.
I’ve mentioned forgiveness of sins and everlasting life already, but add to that peace, comfort, help, joy, meaning or purpose, a relationship with God, and fellowship with other believers, righteousness, hope, unending love and so much more. All he wants from us in return is faithfulness. To trust in Him and in His ways which we find in the Bible.
Yes, there will be a cost, we may have to give up some of the things in this life that interfere with being able to live godly lives, but it’s worth the cost, it’s actually worth more than anything we could ever pay, which is why as we’ve looked at already, that Jesus made the main payment for us. These two parables together give us a beautiful picture of the value of the kingdom and the sacrifice of the king.
The Final Parable
The final parable in this section goes back to look at the distinction between those who are a part of the kingdom and those who are not. In case there was any confusion in thinking that Jesus death automatically saved everyone from their sin and brought them into the kingdom regardless of whether they believe or not, it didn’t.
There are those who are saved and those who are not. There will be a day when those two groups will be separated forever, those who believe to live and reign with the Lord Jesus Christ, and those who don’t will be cast aside. Jesus uses the parable of the net to describe this in Matthew 13:47
Again the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted out the good into containers, but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:47
In the book of Revelation, it is described as the lake of fire, saying,
If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15
In John 3:18, Jesus declares who will be found righteous or not, and on what grounds, saying “
Whoever believes in him (that is the Son of God, mentioned in John 3:16), Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:18
Faith In Christ
Faith in Christ, and only faith in Christ will be the determining factor for who is part of the kingdom of heaven. That’s why it is so important to understand these parables, and the value of the kingdom that is being not just taught about, but offered to you today. God looks at you as a treasure, and wants you to be part of his kingdom.
The Bible says that God does not want anyone to perish, but that everyone would come to repentance, that is to turn from our own ways and follow his ways. This gospel, that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, is that one great pearl. There isn’t anything else like it, there is no other salvation available to mankind, and all you have to do is believe it, but you must believe it, will you believe it?
Jesus used story telling as a way to draw people into a deeper understanding of His identity. What is your response to Jesus’ parables? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Stephen March
Stephen March is the President of FBH International and HopeStreamRadio. He graduated from the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College in 2001, and has previously worked in television production and post-production.
Stephen lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with his wife Corinne and their four children.
Read and hear more from Stephen March on his contributor’s page. Stephen currently has 5 Programs on HopeStreamRadio:
- Please Forgive Me
- Isolation Chronicles
- Faith By Hearing – The Twelve
- Bibles and Baseball
- Bible Tech Talk
More Podcasts Below:
More Blogs:
Palm Sunday, The Coming King, and the Last Week of Christ
Why Did Jesus Say “I Am the Bread of Life
Images courtesy of:
Pearl – Marin Tulard
Treasure – Sina Sadeqi on Unsplash
Woman on Mountain – Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash
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