Times Of Swaziland: THE HIDDEN TREASURE

THE HIDDEN TREASURE
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The Editor on 13/07/2018 01:38:00


Sir,
The parable of the hidden treasure is one of the shortest parables that Jesus
ever spoke, it is found in Matthew 13:44. It is just one verse but loaded with
meaning.
“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.”
In Jesus’ day, there were no banks. People could bury their wealth in the
ground. It was not unusual for some to forget the exact spot where they had
hidden the treasure. Or perhaps the owner could die, imprisoned or exiled. Then
the treasure would be lost until someone came along to till the land and, in so
doing, unearth it.
In the parable, the man found the treasure in a field that was not his own. The
man realised the value of the treasure. He recognised that the treasure was
worth more than all that he possessed.  But in order for him to legally possess
the treasure he was supposed to buy the field. He had no money for it so he had
to sell everything he possessed.
The treasure was far more valuable than his personal belongings.
The field containing the treasure represents the holy scriptures and the gospel
is the treasure. Those who desire to find the treasures of truth must dig for
them as a miner digs for treasure hidden in the earth. And just as the man was
ready to surrender everything he had to obtain the hidden treasure, so ‘the
finder of heavenly treasure will count no labor too great and no sacrifice too
dear, in order to gain the treasures of truth’.
The truth as it is in Christ who is the hidden treasure. It does not involve
spade digging. “No half-hearted, indifferent work will avail. It is essential
for old and young, not only to read God’s word, but to also study it with
wholehearted earnestness, praying and searching for truth as for hidden
treasure.”
The moment the man found the treasure, no longer was his heart in his
possessions. As he went out selling his possessions, the man was very happy. The
moment one discovers Christ, the things of this world will become meaningless.
For ‘what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own
soul’.
The moment you realise how valuable Christ is to you, you will be willing to
give up everything. While most people today measure treasure in monetary value,
real treasure is seldom found in what is valued by the powerful or rich of this
world. Real treasure, lasting treasure is found in the Word of God, the
knowledge of which leads to eternal life.
Dear readers, let us diligently search for the treasure. Let us read God’s
Word on a daily basis, let’s study it with wholehearted earnestness, praying
and searching for the truth as for hidden treasure. When we know the truth, with
the help of the Holy Spirit, let’s live according to the truth for it is not
enough for us to find the treasure but it is important that we realise the value
of the treasure.
Bopoto Gwinyai
(7663 8191)