by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
“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 NIV)
Two more parables about the Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew. These parables seem to have been told at a time when Jesus was gathering new followers round him. Probably this was in the early part of his ministry. There were many people who heard his teaching and had to decide if they would join him or not. They knew that if they did join him, it would mean that there would be big changes in their lives. Was it wise to follow him, or foolish? In these two parables Jesus was helping such people to make their decision. He was saying: “If you decide to follow me, you will gain more than you lose. I promise you the best kind of life which anyone can live.”
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When the Americans came to the Cordilleras they not only found a suitable cool weather for rest and recreation. They also found precious minerals in the region. They found lime, copper, silver, and yes, gold! But there is one precious gem that they never find in this region nor in any land area within Northern Luzon. In fact this gem is not to be found on land at all but is found only under water. It’s the pearl – the precious jewel of which our text speaks. Today pearls have lost much of their value. Firms have learned to culture them in vast pearl beds and even to make them artificially. However, in biblical times, the pearl was probably the costliest and most sought- after gem. The pearl was the most exquisite gem in ancient Palestine.
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Jesus used the pearl to point out that salvation has the greatest value and is the most important, significant thing in life. Besides using the pearl to point out the ultimate importance of salvation, Jesus also used the pearl to teach us something else. While the talented lapidary has to saw, grind, and polish other stones to bring out their hues and to make them sparkle and shine, the pearl dare not be touched. Any attempt to improve upon it is like trying to add color to the rainbow or beauty to the rose. It simply dare not be done because the pearl is already perfect. What can be more complete and perfect than the salvation that Christ has earned for us on the cross? Who can add anything to it? Who really can improve upon it? The life in God’s kingdom is perfect (no more crying, no more pain – remember ?).
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Shakespeare, in King John, correctly said, “to guild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue onto the rainbow… is wasteful and ridiculous excess.” So it is today, if we wish to improve upon God’s plan of salvation by our own good deeds, our own righteousness, our own goodness. Then we are trying to add purity to the pearl, luster to it’s moonlight whiteness. Then we are trying to polish it with our clumsy, uneven, and rough grinding stone. With Saint Paul we need to say, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9).
In these two parables, Jesus is helping us to make our decision. He is saying, “If you decide to follow me you will gain more than you will lose. I promise you the best kind of life which anyone can live.”
There are three practical applications that we can learn from these parables:
First, the life that God offers to us is the real treasure. In this kind of life we know that we belong to God, through Jesus Christ. We know that we are accepted by him in spite of our faults. It is a life in which we share both the happiness and sufferings of other people. There is both pain and joy. It is a full life. And I is joyfully received. Jesus said, “I came that you may have life, abundant life.” Who will not accept joyfully such kind of life.
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Second, we can have this life now. Not only in the hereafter. When Jesus offered this kind of life to people, he taught that they could have it now, and in this world. “If you believe in me, you have already eternal life.” It is like the treasure, not very far below the surface of the ground. It is not out of reach. It is found during our ordinary day’s work and life. But we often forget this. Remember the story of two boys studying at home in preparation for examinations. In the same room was the grandfather of one of them, reading his Bible. One of the boys asked, “What’s your grandfather doing?” The other laughed and said, “He’s just like us; he is preparing for his finals.” (He meant that his grandpa was reading hi Bible to prepare for the time when God would examine him, after his death). But if we think that the words of Jesus (or the Bible) are only to prepare us for life after death we shall make a big mistake; we shall fail to make the best of the gifts God has given us in this life.
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And third, it is worth making any sacrifice in order to have this kind of life. Many of us are willing to shell out thousands of pesos for our children’s college assurance plan; or health plan or other business endeavors; or even lotto or jueteng. We too are asked to give up or sacrifice something to have the life that God offers to us now.
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A girl’s parent from a remote barangay in the Mountain Province saved enough money to send her to college in Baguio city – away from home. The girl saw that she was being offered a good opportunity, but she also that certain things would have to be given up if she goes to college. She would give up dependence from her parents an the comfort of home. She has to give these things in order that she could attain college education and would have better opportunities in life. Likewise, the parents have to give up the thoughts of security of their girl near them and the services she does in the family.
Many times in our lives we are like that o the farmer an the pearl trader in the parable, because throughout our lives God offers us opportunities to have a fuller life at a cost.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Let us pray.
O God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 11 Collect, ECP-BCP)
