Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)
The kingdom of Heaven on Earth is like treasure hidden in a field or like a man who finds a pearl beyond compare. One man has not been seeking it at all, but one day he just stumbles across it. Another man has been earnestly seeking after it for years and one day happens to come upon it.
Perhaps the one in the field represents the lowly peasant who had no developed expectation of the messianic kingdom, and the merchant man stands for one instructed in the Law and the Prophets. Or maybe the merchant signifies the Jews, to whom the promise of the kingdom was made, and the man in the field foreshadows the Gentiles, to whom the Gospel would soon be preached.
Nonetheless, each one must make a decision. It is revealed to them suddenly and unexpectedly, in a small moment; but they have “ears to hear” and a heart to receive, so they quickly recognize it for what it is and understand its value. They are overjoyed. Immediately, they give up all they have so they may possess it as their own. Their whole lives have now become all about this wonderful kingdom.
The kingdom of Heaven on Earth is worth everything you have — your whole life.
The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth
Keys to the Kingdom of God
in the Gospel of Matthew
by Jeff Doles
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Available in paperback and Kindle (Amazon), epub (Google and iTunes) and PDF.
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