The Hidden Treasure and the PearlMatthew 13:44-46

One donkey: 25 shekelsOne gold ring: 18 shekelsKingdom of God: Priceless

We have all seen the TV commercials that give a listof prices for things you can spend money on, andthen name something that is priceless. Pricelessmeans that something is more valuable than anyamount of money.

The message of Jesus was that there was one thingthat was truly priceless.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that washidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid itagain. He was very happy. So he went and soldeverything he had. And he bought that field. -Matthew 13:44

We could read this parable and talk at length aboutthe things the man had to give up. We might imaginethat it was difficult for the man to give up all heowned. But that is just the opposite of what Jesus’said! Jesus never said the man was sad to give upwhat he had. The man was joyful! He rushed to giveaway what he had so that he could gain the fargreater treasure!

This is the same with those who find the kingdomof God. They are overjoyed with the priceless giftthat Jesus offers. They know it is of greater valuethan anything else in the world.

List things in your home that came with a price tag(such as tables, chairs, television). Now list theblessings of God’s kingdom that money can’t buy(such as love, life, joy). These things are trulypriceless!

Again, the kingdom of heaven islike a trader who was looking forfine pearls. He found one thatwas very valuable. So he wentaway and sold everything hehad. And he bought that pearl.- Matthew 13:45-46

No doubt, the pearl collector was used tobargaining to pay the lowest price for his pearls.After all, buying and selling pearls was his job.But this time was different. This fine pearl wasof such great value, that he did not even mentionthe price. He knew it was worth far more thaneverything else he owned. He didn’t have to thinktwice about the exchange. He knew it was anincredible bargain!

Those who find the kingdom of God come to thesame conclusion. The things we give up arenothing compared to what we gain.

We give up the punishment for our sin. We giveup a life that ends in death and separation fromGod. We give up trying to earn our way into God’sfavor. We give up doing things our own way. Inexchange, we receive new life in God’s kingdom.We are accepted by the one true God. We receiveGod’s Holy Spirit, His joy, love, peace, direction,power, and eternal blessings.

Have you placed your faith in Jesus and gainedentrance into His kingdom? If not, ask God tomake the truth about the kingdom very clear toyou (John 16:13). If so, thank Jesus for makingthe priceless kingdom available to you.

Priceless

Great Exchange

All Who BelieveJesus told two similar parables describing thekingdom of God as a great and valuable treasure(Matthew 13:44-46). There is one differencebetween these two parables. One man found thetreasure completely by accident and the otherman had searched for it.

The man who found treasure in a field by accidentwas like the people who were not Jews. They

Jesus told two stories to showthat the kingdom of God is atreasure more valuable thananything in this world. Jesus in no way meant that someonecould pay money to enter thekingdom of God! There isnothing we can do to earn our way into God’s kingdom(Romans 4:1-3). Jesus paid the price for us to enter. Wemust simply have faith in Him.Jesus shared these stories so His listeners would valuethe kingdom, and desire to be a part of it.

Day #4 continued:were not God’s chosen people. They did not knowabout God’s promises, so they were not lookingfor the Messiah to come. However, when Jesuscame, those who heard Him and put their trustin Him entered joyfully into His kingdom.

Those who aren't Jews did not look for a way tobe right with God. But they found it by havingfaith. - Romans 9:30

And the pearl trader was very much like the Jews.They did know God’s promises. They spent theirlives looking for the Messiah that God promisedto send. When Jesus came, He offered a kingdomof peace and justice, forgiveness and eternal life.This kingdom was FAR better that the earthlykingdom they had been looking forward to. ThoseJews who had faith in Jesus entered the kingdom.

I am not ashamed of the good news. It is God'spower. And it will save everyone who believes.It is meant first for the Jews. It is meant also forthose who aren't Jews. - Romans 1:16

Take a piece of play jewelry and hide it. Ask yourmom or dad to find it. Let this be a reminder thatGod’s kingdom is a treasure that God wantseveryone to find (1 Peter 3:9).

Egypt. He was looking ahead to God's reward. -Hebrews 11:25-26

Moses did this because he had great faith (Hebrews11:24). He saw with kingdom eyes. With his humaneyes, Moses could see the palace and the gold, theslaves obeying his every command, and the peoplebowing down to him as he walked by. But with hiskingdom eyes, Moses could see the eternal kingdomthat God promised. With kingdom eyes, Mosescould see peace and joy and a relationship withthe Creator of the universe. Moses gave upeverything else to follow God, his King.

Look at the verses above. How does God’s kingdomcompare to things of this world? What did Mosesgive up? What did Moses gain?

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The kingdom of God is not something we can seewith our eyes, but it is real, and it is incredible. Ittakes faith to choose what you can’t see over whatyou can see.

You may remember the story of Moses in the OldTestament. At the time of Moses’ birth, the Jewishpeople were slaves to the Egyptian people. TheJews were treated harshly, and Pharaoh evenordered that all the Jewish boys who were bornhad to be killed. Moses parents hid Moses so hewould not be killed. Because they loved him, theygave him up to be raised by Pharaoh’s daughter.

Moses was a Jewish boy, being raised in Pharaoh’spalace. He was treated like an Egyptian prince. Hehad everything the world had to offer. However,when Moses found out who he really was, he leftthe palace to join God’s people.

He chose to be treated badly together with thepeople of God. He chose that instead of enjoyingsin's pleasures for a short time. He suffered shamebecause of Christ. He thought it had great value.He considered it better than the riches of

No Fool

Moses’ Choice

Day #3 continued:

In the early 1950s, five missionaries left theirhomes and their loved ones to take the messageof Jesus to a terribly unfriendly tribe of people inEcuador. The mission was dangerous, but thesemen were willing to risk their lives to go whereGod told them to go.

These men gave up everything they had becausethey were certain that life in the center of God’swill was FAR greater than life anywhere else. Thetreasure of God’s kingdom was so great and soreal, that they wanted to share it with the Aucapeople who had no other way of hearing about it.

One of the men, Jim Elliot, wrote in his journal:

It was clear to Jim and his friends that God’skingdom was of eternal value.

The holy people of the Most High God will receivethe kingdom. They will possess it forever. It willbelong to them for ever and ever. - Daniel 7:18

What are some things that you cannot keep foreternity? What are the things that you cannot losein eternity? Which things are of greater value?

(Note: Older children may want to read more ofthe life stories of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming,Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian, all martyred whileplanting kingdom seeds for the Auca people - manyof whom now call themselves, “God-followers.”)