Matthew 13:44

“The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.”

Jesus keeps his focus on the Kingdom of God that is here now but is coming.  He likens it to a treasure hid in a field. The man who found it did not own the field. So, aware of what he had just found, he buried it like it was to make sure it was safe. What he had just found could change his life! The discovery thrilled him and motivated him to do what had to be done to obtain that field that contained the treasure.

When the man compared what he already owned to the field with that priceless treasure, he decided to sell all he had in order to have money to buy that field.  I suppose his neighbors were perplexed to see him sell all that he had for no reason that they could surmise. No problem, he knew and proceeded to sell everything.  He could not broadcast what he was doing or someone else might buy that field. As quickly as he could, he sold everything he had, everything. He wanted to make sure that he could purchase that field. It was strange to see him joyfully sell all he had.  The neighbors could not comprehend this behavior. He knew what he was doing, they did not because they did not know that he had found a buried treasure.

Having sold all he had, he offered to buy the field from the owner who had no idea of the worth of the treasure hidden in it. I suppose it seemed like a good offer to the owner so he sold it. What joy entered the heart of the man who knew the true worth of the land because he had discovered the hidden treasure.

What a story.

So, Jesus, implied, when a person realizes the exceeding worth of  the treasure, he or she will sell all and buy it!

I think Jesus put the emphasis on the “sold all.” That has been, through the ages, the call to all who are seeking the treasure of God’s salvation and new life. We recklessly sell all, or, is it reckless?  If we have any idea of the worth of the treasure it is not reckless at all, but the greatest investment a person can possibly make.