ResponsiveReiding

From Matthew 14:1-12 / Descending into Hell

James warns us that we can hear the Word, which can act like a mirror reflecting our true visage – but from which when we walk away – allows our imagination to recreate that image into something we prefer. As the Word reflects the ill-effects of sin in our souls, if we fail to unflinchingly continue that view, soon, we will imagine ourselves something we are not.

Now it is absolutely true that the Believer, by virtue of the new birth, justification and the indwelling Spirit is a new creature indeed. What we were in ourselves considered alone is gone forever. And, it is also true that we are not yet all that the Father intends us to be before He is done with us.

Even the resurrected Christ still bore the scars of His crucifixion. Healed they were, yet visible still. And so the damage sin has done to us leaves its scars behind. In fact, we might think in terms of a deadly cancer. It ravages, disfigures and wreaks all kinds of havoc. At this point in our salvation, sin’s progress has been stopped in its tracks. It can no longer present the danger it once did, even though some of the remnants of its ravages remain visible.

And, the cancer is not yet fully eradicated. It still has some energy. The flesh still lusts against the Spirit even though it can no longer have dominion nor threaten damnation.

But praise God He has given us assurance of the final dominion and perfection in the resurrection. Oh happy day!

Until then, we still see sin at work. And one place where it is bared in ghastly relief is in this passage – and in Herod Antipas.

Note first: How the unregenerate often mix true religion and superstition together.

Herod had no Biblical reason to believe that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead and was performing miracles in the form of Jesus. Nevertheless, he was disturbed by these thoughts. His guilt over what he had done in murdering John, filtered through his unregenerate and ill-informed mind, led him to a strange conclusion.

We ought not to think it strange then that unbelievers we meet today may need to be disabused of such perverse notions as well. We need to consider that in our evangelization.

Note second: As we have seen often before, simply seeing miraculous things does not convert a soul to Christ. There is no “magic bullet” in evangelization but the plain Gospel itself. How may Christians think that if people could just witness some sign, some miracle, the discussion would end. Not so. Jesus healed multitudes. Even after raising the dead, demonstrating mastery over nature and preaching truth in its purest form for years – He had but a handful of Believers in His death. And they, not fully comprehending. Our faith must be in the Spirit creating faith in the heart – not in outward proofs.

Note third: It is right for us to proclaim to public figures that their sin is unjustifiable. And this remains true regardless of party or affinity. So many in recent years have delighted to proclaim the sins of those in opposing political parties, while remaining virtually silent on the one who is “our guy.” It is a wicked hypocrisy which has taken hold in American Evangelicalism which needs to be repented of. Yes, we need to confront sin. No, we cannot do so with political exemptions.

Note fourth: When sin goes unchecked, sooner or later it will demand the unthinkable from us. And we will give it. For we have lost all resolve to resist if we have seared our consciences time after time after time.

So it is Herod went from lusting after his brother’s wife – divorcing his own to have her; to locking up John for calling him on it; to lusting after his step-daughter in a most public way; to having John beheaded. The descent is obvious and terrifying.

Historians tell us Herodias’ daughter was probably between 12 and 14 at this time. Her public and sensual gyrations were too much for the man who had stepped further and further down from moral decisions time after time. And such is the pattern for all still bound in sin. A tendency which does not leave even the most godly saint.

Note fifth: How Herod was more concerned about offending his guest, than God in any respect. And how this tendency again can still have it urgings in us. We see its shadow in Peter’s failure in Antioch. We must still beware the same in ourselves.

Note lastly: Jesus did not consider John’s senseless death as reason to stop manifesting the Kingdom and preaching the Gospel.

Our Christ remained undaunted by any danger to fulfill the Father’s will, and bring about the salvation He was sent to accomplish. And if it was true in His incarnation, how much more does He remain at work on our behalf until the day of His return. Nothing can thwart the hand of our Savior. He who began a good work in us, will absolutely complete it until His day. Have no fear dear Believer, your Christ cannot be turned aside by anything.

From Matthew 13:53-58 / A Prophet Without Honor

Note first: There is an old proverb which reads: Familiarity breeds contempt. And the verses before us demonstrate just how this can be. It is in fact one of the most pernicious of sins. And one all too common among us today.

In Psalm 50, Asaph speaks prophetically to God’s people, calling them back to a right view of Him. And among the charges listed there, we read vs. 21: “These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.”

Because God had been patient with their sin, the people began to imagine that God thought like they thought, liked what they liked, disliked what they disliked. They superimposed their thoughts, feelings and opinions upon God.

It makes me wonder how many times I’ve done this myself. How have I baptized my thoughts, preferences and opinions by imagining God’s must be identical to mine.

Heavenly Father, forgive me. How often I have superimposed my feelings, my opinions, my viewpoints onto you. I have assumed you feel toward the same people as I do. I have imagined your willingness to see my compromises, and that you abide them and excuse them as I do. That my priorities and agenda – you take up too. That you are as easily offended as I am. As petty. As punitive. As irritable. As short-tempered. As temporally oriented. I have thought you are one like myself. I have been a fool. Let me see your glory.

In this account, their familiarity with Jesus led them to ignore what He was teaching and preaching.

How many a foolish person has left a sound Church and deeply committed leadership because their preaching was not flash-in-the-pan? Didn’t scratch their itch? Didn’t dazzle them? Because the man in the pulpit simply and plainly broke the Bread of Life to them faithfully, but was just an ordinary man? Wickedness.

Note second the reason for their rejection of Christ. It was not based upon His character, for He was sinless, nor upon His teaching, for even they acknowledged His wisdom and mighty works. What then was their objection? He’s not unusual enough. As though truth needs some sort of spectacular demonstration in order to be truth.

In the modern Church, there is a great movement that signs and wonders must be present to verify truth, and bring people to belief. Here, they knew His mighty works and did not believe. He didn’t dazzle them enough for their taste.

Note lastly then: That when the truth is rejected on such paltry and foolish grounds, that unbelief is met with an unresponsive God. Jesus left His home town with little by way of extra blessing.

Woe to us when His plain Word is not enough for us. When we casually set aside the God/Man as He preached and taught, because we thought it too simple, plain and unexciting.

And yet how faithfully He continued to preach and teach.

Movement 4 The Angel and the Shepherds

1 Upon a quiet hillside
Lay flocks of gentle sheep
As Shepherds lay their heads down
Day’s end would hasten sleep

2 No noble men among them
No poets, priests or kings
The humble and the lowly
Not giv’n to lofty things

3 Not privy to the wonders
Revealed to others, yet
No sense there was a Mary
Or aged Elizabeth

4 They’d heard no prophet’s voices
Nor Mary’s hymn of praise
They tended to their business
This one, like other days

5 There were no signs of warning
No omens in the sky
No great anticipation
To prompt a careful eye

6 Just humble, no-name shepherds
About their daily charge
Amid the bleating sheepfold
Glum duty to discharge

7 When through the sleepy silence
Broke blinding, dazzling light
The shock of God’s own glory
Brought terror at the sight

8 The angel – though astounding
Spoke quickly – do not fear!
I’ve come to bring you good news
For all the world to hear

9 Today, in David’s city
In humble Bethlehem
To you is born a Savior What things he spoke to them!

10 Why say such things to shepherds
Whose word none would believe? These are the least of all men
Who will their word receive?

11 And yet there in his glory
The angel spoke his word
Here, I give a sign to you
A pledge of what you’ve heard

12 In David’s town, a baby
Was born this very day
He’s lying in a manger
In swaddling cloths arrayed

13 And when the angel said this
The sky was filled with light
A great angelic army
Dispelled the dark of night

14 A martial choir of angels
With massive, deafn’ing sound
Began to sing God’s glory
And make His praise abound

15 God’s glory in the highest
And peace to you on earth
For it has pleased the Godhead
The Prince of Peace to birth

16 The Shepherds hastened quickly
To Bethlehem they ran
To find the Babe as told them
This Savior born to Man

17 They ran to find the family
To see what they’d been told
And told them of the angels
And why they left their fold

18 Then leaving, telling others
Like prophets they became
And all who heard them wondered
What news they did proclaim

19 Returning to the sheepfold
A choir now were they
In praises glorifying
What God had done that day

20 And while this first – God’s Christmas
Began, and now was done
The saving work of Jesus
Had only just begun

Movement 3 Gabriel and Mary

1 In Nazareth secluded
A Virgin soon to wed
This lowly one named Mary
To her was Gabriel led

2 Appearing without warning
With greetings from God’s throne
He spoke of God’s great favor
A call for her – alone

3 The God of all Creation
Has sent me here to you
Your heart and mind preparing
What He’s about to do

4 Don’t be afraid dear Mary
This message strange to hear
You’ll be a virgin mother
Tho how – will be unclear

5 Amazed her heart was troubled
What can this greeting be?
Thus Gabriel responded
You’re favored – you must see

6 The way ahead’s not easy
You’ll bear shame unrestrained
So few will understand it
A myst’ry unexplained

7 (At first not even Joseph
Could grasp it or conceive
Without an angel’s visit
E’en he would not believe)

8 What wonder I’m announcing
The Son of the Most High
The long-foretold Messiah
Will in your bosom lie

9 He’ll rule o’er Israel’s Kingdom
His reign will have no end
The Son of God, most holy
The flock of God He’ll tend

10 But sir, in wide amazement
She asked, how will this be?
I’ve known no man in marriage
The means I cannot see

11 How Gabriel smiled at Mary
In gentleness spoke low
God’s Spirit will accomplish
What none can really know

12 By power none can fathom
Beyond the human mind
Creating life within you
The God/man all divine

13 And to confirm my message
That it might be believed
Elizabeth the barren
Though ag-ed, has conceived

14 God’s power is not lacking
All’s possible to Him
And though you are a Virgin
In you, life will begin

15 Submitting as a servant
To all that she had heard
She said, so let it be sir
According to Your word

16 Then rushing to the country
Elizabeth to see
She came into the house there
Amazed in Holy glee

17 Elizabeth exclaiming
For joy – how can it be?
You, the mother of my Lord
Have come to visit me?

18 For when I heard your greeting
My baby stirred and leapt
For joy he could not help it
And I in gladness wept

19 Thus Mary broke out singing
To magnify her Lord
A hymn of praise and worship
For all He had outpoured

20 Returning home rejoicing
Soon after John was born
In faith she trusted fully
In Christ, would dawn God’s morn

Movement 2 Gabriel and Zechariah

1 An aged priest in Judah
The altar incense burned
Who with his wife was childless
Yet duty never spurned

2 By lot this priest was chosen
The incense, his to bring
To burn upon the altar
A holy, sacred thing

3 Outside the crowd stood praying
The Priest, his duty filled
When all at once in wonder
The air was strangely stilled

4 Beside him at the altar
God’s messenger appeared
The old Priest started quaking
Amazed and full of fear

5 The angel spoke his message
Your long-prayed prayer is heard
And you dear Zechariah
Must hear this blessed Word

6 Elizabeth shall bear you
A son, you’ll name him John
From birth, full of the Spirit
He’ll mark Messiah’s dawn

7 The Priest was unbelieving
“I’m old”, as is my wife
Such things as you’re announcing
Can’t happen in my life

8 You’re old? – we’ll I, am Gabriel
I stand before the Lord
He sent me with this message
This boy will be your ward

9 But for your unbelieving
You’ll speak no word or sound
Then on the day you hold him
Your tongue will be unbound

10 This John, just like Elijah
Will stir the hearts of men
To seek the God of Isr’el
And clear the path again

11 The mighty angel left him
His work not yet complete
For barely six months later
He’ll walk a Naz’reth street

12 The priest went home confounded
In silence and in awe
Till in God’s perfect season
John’s birth set free his jaw

13 You my child, the old Priest said
A prophet are to be
Preparing hearts of people
That Christ they might receive

14 Before the Lord Of glory
You’ll go to make the way
Announcing God’s forgiveness
Proclaiming Christ’s new day

15 Because Of God’s compassion
Dawn visits from on high
To shine on those in darkness
Our feet to peace He’ll guide

16 They’d never dreamed their sorrow
Had glory at its base
That they would be a symbol
Of overcoming grace

17 Thus in their years past bearing
Christ’s herald they would birth
Soon John would cry “Behold Him”
“The Lamb of God on earth!”

Movement 1 – Gabriel before the Throne

1 Gabriel, I’ve summoned you
The time at last has come
To send among the fallen
My dear beloved Son

2 My Lord and God I pray Thee
Of course, I serve Your will
And yet I beg your patience
My wanting mind to fill

3 Why these, who barely notice you?
Who walk in sin and pride
Who speak your name in blasphemy
And cast your law aside?

4 Nor do I wonder all alone
‘Tis all of Heaven’s host
We marvel why you love them so
When they despise you most

5 It grieves us so to see them
Their rampant godless ways
While you propose to send them Grace
Your Son Of highest praise

6 We fear the turn this path will take
We’ve watched them through our tears
Millennia of wickedness
No light in them appears

7 We fear they will not honor Him
Heav’n’s sweetest, highest crown                                                          Who holds in every angel’s heart
Love’s highest, best renown

8 We faint to think of parting from
His glory shining bright
And seeing Him descending
Into mankind’s blackest night

9 We beg you, spare us losing Him
We truly cannot bear
To have His light hid from our eyes
His presence not to share

10 And there the mighty angel knelt
And wept, before the throne
Who from his own creation
Triune light had only known

11 Gabriel, My messenger
My wisdom you know well
You’ve served Me and been faithful
And stood when others fell

12 My Son, you know, is willing
He takes this task in love
They will not recognize Him
As sent from Heav’n above

13 In time, they will reject Him
Arrest and beat and bruise
They’ll mock and slap and slander
And dreadfully abuse

14 In unearned rage and hatred
They’ll crown His Head with thorns
Then nail and crucify Him
His body wracked and torn

15 He’ll die, as if a sinner
Though holiest of all
He’ll die in place of sinners
To save them from their Fall

16 For this is in our bosom
A love for those we made
Created in our image
Though fallen and depraved

17 Within our Triune wisdom
A myst’ry does abide
To pour out grace and mercy
In purchasing a Bride

18 Don’t faint my faithful angel
More glory yet, will shine
Redemption when completed
Will vindicate our mind

19 What you have never tasted
What only they can know
Grace to the undeserving
And mercy overflow

From Matthew 13:51-52 / Have you understood?

Jesus’ question to the disciples here after delivering the parables is one that cannot be overlooked. Had they, do we – really get it?

He goes on to explain what it is they need not to miss, and it is central to understanding the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. And it is why there is so much confusion in understanding the relationship between the Old Covenant Scriptures and the New Covenant Scriptures. The tendency among us is to go to one of two extremes. Some see no true connection between the two, as though the Old Covenant Scriptures can virtually be discarded. They see no value at all in the Law. Others, see virtually no distinction at all and conflate the two as though there is no change to be seen or understood. They virtually try to make Believers today into Old Testament Jews.

Jesus is keen here to make sure His men do not commit either error.

Note first then: Failing to understand how God uses types, shadows, similes, parables, etc., locks up the OT from the preaching of Christ. But one who understands, can bring out treasures from both the Old and the New. May we gain this holy skill.

This shows itself to us in two primary ways (among others).

a. Israel was never meant to be an end in itself – but a type and shadow of The Coming Kingdom. When we fail to understand this, we have those who confuse the modern Sate of Israel (a secular state we need to be reminded) with the Kingdom itself. We will find ourselves with so many today who cannot bring themselves to criticize the State when it errs, and baptize all it does. Some go so far (as certain heretics like John Hagee) who say we need not evangelize our Jewish friends because they have their own covenant with God. Making no room for the fact the Old Covenant is gone, and Christ has instituted the New. So they cannot digest Paul’s words in Romans 2:28-29 “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”

It is also why we do not look for a “Christian” State.

With many others, I personally look for a great stirring of the Spirit among ethnic Jews near the return of Christ – but that is not the same as assuming all is well with them in the meantime. In the largest part, they have rejected the New Covenant and need to come to Christ.

b. The Law was never meant to be an end in itself either. We can liken it best to an X-ray machine – a diagnostic tool, but one with no power whatsoever to bring about healing. The Law can show us a broken bone, but it cannot mend it. It can reveal the righteousness of God, but it cannot produce it within us. This is the work of the Holy Spirit and the express blessing of the New Covenant.

If I may extend a simile built on the above – for the Believer, the object is to fix our eyes upon and follow Christ. Our relationship to the Law of Moses has radically changed. For one, it can no longer condemn us. But picture this: When one is learning to drive, they are taught to keep their eyes on the road ahead – not on the guardrails along the side. The guardrails are there should we (for some reason) spin out of control. And to smack into them hurts. But they are not there as guides. Our Guide is to keep the eyes fixed upon Christ. The Law remains just and right and good, but it has to be used lawfully – for what it was designed. And it was NEVER designed to sanctify, any more than it was designed to confer eternal life.

Note second then, that once one has a firm grasp of the principles of the Kingdom as outlined in the parables here, then one can rightly read their OT and see how the 2 mesh so perfectly. Apart from this understanding, the 2 will remain in tension rather than in harmony. And keep that in mind – they are in harmony, but they are not identical. The Old and New Covenants harmonize, but they do not “sing” in unison.

Jesus wanted them to grasp this vision of the Kingdom:

1 / It is built only through the preaching of the Gospel.

2 / There will be the righteous and the unrighteous in the world until Jesus returns. Accept it and learn to live in the reality of it.

3 / The Church will not always look like it does today. It’s fullness is coming.

4 / Men are never more “Christians” than the moment they are conceived by the Spirit. But they have to grow. And growth in Christ’s image is not an overnight, but a lifelong process, finished when He comes.

5 / The world will never understand why we value Christ, the Cross, holiness, The Word and the resurrection above earthly things. Don’t expect to be understood by them.

6 / For the true Believer, the signal mark is: Christ is our greatest gain.

7 / We will never have a perfectly pure Church until Christ returns. Don’t be shocked by fakes and defectors. A day of true sorting will come.

As noted earlier then, let me reiterate: Taken in order we learn these 7 lessons.

A – Confidence and Comfort in the simple plan and program of God in evangelism. God’s Word IS sufficient.

B – There is no need to fret or fear if the World seems to grow and progress in evil along with the Church. The harvest WILL come.

C – Though the Kingdom may seem small and insignificant now – wait. The half has not been told.

D – Though you seem to make little progress in sanctification, you WILL be transformed into His image as the Kingdom grows within you and affects every part.

E – Though others have not seen what you have – you are not a fool to forsake that which you cannot keep to obtain that which you cannot lose.

F – Let no one dissuade you from the singular excellencies of Christ. Truth isn’t all about us- but He is THE Truth, THE Life, and THE Way.

G – Give the Gospel to all men and draw them in. But give them no comfort in the MERE fact they dwell among the saints, simply because they found an attraction here. If they have not been changed, if they are spoiled or dead or unprofitable, they WILL be cast away.  

From Matthew 13:47-50 / Jesus’ last kingdom parable here (#7) treats the mystery of the GOSPEL itself, or of CONSUMMATION.

Many are invited, but few are chosen.

Note first as a hint to preachers – as with each of these parables, the great subject of them is the Kingdom of Heaven.

While we might be inclined to preach each of these separately, and indeed, they do lend themselves to individual exposition – frequent allusion must be made to the fact they form a composite. If we do not do this, we lose what is really going on. We do not want to overlook how the 7 parables together paint a picture that will frame encouragement and direction in the days to come when the advance and the glory of the Kingdom’s fullness seems remote or even lost.

Jesus knows full well that His current disciples and we who follow in later generations, will be tempted to read the Church through the lens of the culture, the newspaper and current events. Here, He is providing for us a lens through which to interpret the mission, state and work of the Church irrespective of any outside environment.

These are divine constants. Whether the Church at large seems healthy or weak, attacked or at ease, prosperous and influential or marginalized and ignored – these 7 principles will remain true. Fearful and weary Christians and ministers need not faint. His appointed consummation will come.

Note second, that like the parable of the wheat and the tares, we must face the reality we will not have a perfectly pure Church now. That blessed state remains to be ours “at the end of the age” – not in the midst of it.

Many a Church leader has tried to ignore this truth, turning to political or even military power, witch-hunting and harsh and arbitrary degrees of separation – only to fail over and over again at the expense of the Gospel. Wasting time, energy and lives in their quest to accomplish what Christ Himself told us would not be.

We, do not produce, usher in or create The Kingdom. Christ builds His Church. We co-labor with Him in our assigned times and places. But the consummation is in His hands, not ours. How woefully self-important we can make ourselves and our ministries when we lose sight of this.

Note 3rd, what we know from Jesus’ own teaching in other places. (Matt. 24:14)

The net of the Gospel is cast into the sea of humanity, and all sorts are gathered in indiscriminately. However, we need not fear. The day of sorting will come. There will be a separating of the goats and the sheep. The call of the Gospel is to go out to everyone, everywhere. Providence will certainly dictate some parameters. But that is God’s business, not ours.

Our ambassadorship is not to a few, but to the world. We are His representatives pleading as if the very voice of God were pleading through us “be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) Or, as we see in Luke 12:58 – all men are on their way to judgment. And each needs to reconcile with his adversary now, on the way, lest our guilt and lack of repentance find us in “the prison.” There, there is no forgiveness. Every last cent due, will be extracted. We must tell them while there is time. We may cast the net without concern for what fish will be gathered in it – as the responsibility for the sorting is given to others. Let us discharge our great call, and leave the work assigned to others to them. It is enough for us to be about this work. May His Spirit be pleased to gather in more than we ever imagined.

No, this does not negate the need for sound Church discipline nor for requiring sound professions of faith for membership in the local Church. But it does recognize that the Gospel net draws many, good and bad.

They come for different reasons. Curiosity. Community. Seeking position or power. Wanting the thrill of the supernatural. Comfort from life’s harshness. To feel special. To fill some natural void. Because Christians are a nice group to be among. For means to earthly gain. And some, the blessed some, who come because of the reality of their sinfulness and the reconciliation they need to God the Father through faith in shed blood of Jesus Christ. At the end of the age, the angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous. The false will be exposed. Justice will still be done.

Christ’s Kingdom, in all of its purity and glory WILL come.

Be faithful servant of God – He knows what He’s about.

From Matthew 13:45-46 / Kingdom parable #6 is the mystery of TRANSCENDENCE or SUPERIORITY.

This principle, is the explanation of Paul counting all things but dung in comparison to Christ. It is seeing the One Pearl that is infinitely higher than all other good things.

There is truth all around us. And all sorts of good things given to us by God’s hand. But we have come to know there is one Gift that is transcendently superior to them all – Christ Jesus the Son.

He is not “a” truth, He is THE Truth.

He is not “a” gift, He is THE Gift of God.

He is the highest of all God’s goodness.

In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead.

Every other “pearl” granted to us by the hand of God pales in comparison. They are but types and shadows of Him, samples of what finds its fullness in the King of Kings. And as real as all the other good things God has given to us -are, not one of those things – or all of them considered together – is to be compared to the Jewel of Heaven. The outshining of God’s own glory. Christ the Lord.

No one has said it better than old John Flavel: “It is a special consideration to enhance the love of God in giving Christ, that in giving him he gave the richest jewel in his cabinet; a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value, Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is: He is the better half of heaven; and so the saints account him, Psal. 73:25. “Whom have I in heaven but thee?” Ten thousand thousand worlds, saith one,* as many worlds as angels can number, and then as a new world of angels can multiply, would not all be the bulk of a balance, to weigh Christ’s excellency, love, and sweetness. O what a fair One! what an only One! what an excellent, lovely, ravishing One, is Christ! Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put all trees, all flowers, all smells, all colours, all tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness in one; O what a fair and excellent thing would that be? And yet it should be less to that fair and dearest well-beloved Christ, than one drop of rain to the whole seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths. Christ is heaven’s wonder, and earth’s wonder.

Now, for God to bestow the mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as his Son was, yet not to account him too good to bestow upon us, what manner of love is this!¹

¹ Flavel, John. The Whole Works of the Reverend John Flavel. W. Baynes and Son; Waugh and Innes; M. Keene, 1820, pp. 67–68.

From Matthew 13:44 Kingdom parable #5 – the mystery of REVELATION.

Spurgeon says this parable is about Christ, His dying to purchase the whole world that He might have the treasure of those given to Him by the Father found in it.

Others say it appears to be directed more to the Believer. When once our eyes see and comprehend the glories of Christ – that which is hidden to the ordinary view of men, we cannot simply ignore it. From the outside, men cannot comprehend why we would sell all to have some mere field. But we have seen the treasure. We have glimpsed its infinite worth. He who is but a man to most, is the Son of God to us.

The One who is but the Carpenter’s son, whose brothers and sisters are with us (Mark 6:3) – is in fact, God robed in human flesh – God with us. To some He is nothing but a moral teacher, and to others He was a rabble-rouser and a misfit. To us who see, He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Unless the Spirit uncover Him, we do not see.

Now in truth, there is no reason to divide interpretations here, for the principle is exactly the same: Seeing value in what others do not or cannot, and finding that treasure so compelling, that the loss of all else is worth it to possess it.

In terms then of this being Christ finding the Church buried in the dust of this earth – what a magnificent thing to consider all that He would willingly set aside that He might have it? It is beyond comprehension.

Hint to preachers: Boaz in the book of Ruth may be a good parallel to this type of the man pictured here. The nearer kinsman redeemer is a picture of the opposite. The other had first claim, but did not consider Ruth and Naomi treasure – Boaz did.

In a complete other tack, Lenski says the treasure is the Word, the Scripture. That once we discover the treasure in it, we give all to know it and all it contains and reveals to us – especially Christ.

Note too how this applies to those exposed to Gospel truth and yet leave it.

It is very often true that one sees value in the very same thing others pass by and consider of little or no worth. This man saw what others didn’t. They might have examined the same parcel. Walked up and down in it. Turned over the soil. Seen the kind of crops it has yielded, but did not care for the fruit of it. They have a different aim. They desire something else. But not this man – he sees in it what they disregard in it and counts what they pass over, a treasure.

Note the issue of finding the treasure, then covering it up before going off to buy it. There is nothing untoward here. The idea isn’t that his thought is to prevent others from getting the treasure instead of him, as much as it is his desire not to in any way chance losing it. He must have it. It is just out there in an ordinary field, no special place, perhaps not even on someone else’s property. Maybe the field is even for sale. But he has found in it what others clearly didn’t. And he will take every step he can to obtain it.

Jerome says. That he hides it, does not proceed of envy towards others, but as one that treasures up what he would not lose, he hides in his heart that which he prizes above his former possessions.

Lastly, in regard to selling all to obtain the treasure: You cannot have Christ truly, if you are not willing to let go of everything else you might value in order to gain Him? What is so valuable that time with Him is so cheaply sold by us? What of sin is so valuable that it is worth hanging on to rather than to Him? Pride? Social standing? Peer opinion? Drunkenness? Sex? Partying?

George MacDonald prayed:

Lord, in thy spirit’s hurricane, I pray,     

Strip my soul naked—dress it then thy way.  Change for me all my rags to cloth of gold.     

Who would not poverty for riches yield?     

A hovel sell to buy a treasure-field?     

Who would a mess of porridge careful hold     

Against the universe’s birthright old?