“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Matthew 13:44 – 46

Two great stories.  Both describe the kingdom of heaven that Jesus is bringing to all mankind.  First, this kingdom is not to be found where earthly kingdoms are, among the power centers of the world, but in a common, ordinary field.  Someone hid it there.  Jesus does not tell us who.  That is not important.  The point is, the fellow found it – in a field he did not own. He was so convinced of the worth of the treasure that he sold all he owned to purchase the field.  Jesus applauded the good fortune of the ordinary man.

The second parable, also two sentences long, likened the kingdom of heaven to a successful dealer in pearls.  He knew pearls, all right, that is how he prospered.  So, when, behold, he came across an outstanding pearl, precious beyond measure no doubt, he decided to sell everything he had to buy it, like the man in the first parable.  Neither man held anything back, nothing, but sold all they had to buy the treasure.

In the kingdom of heaven, that treasure is salvation and all that goes with it.  I wish I could say that I sold all to get it, but praise God, I have the treasure and will cling to it forever.

I did not buy it, Jesus bought it for me, with his own life blood.  For that I am eternally grateful.