Welcome to Joy By Surprise
Reading: Matthew 13:44-52
Introduction
Just like the precious metals and gems of the physical world, many of YaHuWaH 's spiritual treasures lie hidden from human view. To possess them we must dig deep and search; and when we find them there is still work to be done - refining, shaping, polishing and finishing - before their eternal value can be fully appreciated. YaHuWaH has organized a spiritual Treasure Hunt for mankind and all of us are taking part in it. He has extremely good things available for His people; but His best treasures are always hidden or camouflaged.
| Matthew 13:44 | Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45: Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47: Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49: So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50: And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51 YAHUSHUA saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto Him, Yea, Lord. |
These parables teach us several basic truths about the Kingdom of Heaven.
Let's examine four of them.
1. The Worth of YaHuWaH 's Kingdom
The Kingdom of Heaven is the most wonderful and powerful Kingdom in the entire universe. Its spiritual resources are endless and its moral wealth incalculable. The Kingdom of Heaven, also called the Kingdom of Elohim, is in fact the subject of most of the Savior's sermons. He came to Earth to preach the Gospel of The Kingdom of YaHuWaH. In this passage the worth of the Kingdom of Heaven, and particularly of its King is likened to an inestimable find. The structure of this Kingdom may be briefly described as follows:
- Its King: YaHuWaH - the Almighty Elohim of Israel.
- YaHuWaH 's Son: YAHUSHUA the Messiah.
- Its Motivator: The Holy Spirit of the Most High.
- Its Laws: Heaven's eternal constitution.
- Its Citizens: The holy angels and the redeemed army.
- Its Manifesto: The program of salvation and future projects.
- Its Resources: The spiritual/physical expanse of the universe.
- Its Track Record: An unbroken sequence of achievement and victory.
Oh yes, the Kingdom of Heaven is a priceless treasure! No voice can do it justice, no brush can paint it and no pen can adequately describe its matchless worth. Only when we enter it will we know.
2. Temporarily Hidden from Our Eyes
But for all this the Kingdom of Heaven is currently invisible to the human eye. And even though everything about it is more lasting than the things we can see, the fact is - the Kingdom of YaHuWaH is currently hidden from human view. Indeed YaHuWaH has purposely hidden it. It is as it were "buried in a field." To find this hidden treasure requires effort on one's part. One must diligently search for it. Consider these verses about searching for hidden things:
| Matthew 6:31 | 31: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Nations seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33: But seek ye first the kingdom of YaHuWaH, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. |
| Matthew 7:7 | Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. |
It is vitally important that everyone in this audience accept the Almighty's astonishing offer of salvation. It is free! Take up His offer and become a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven - Now!
3. Recognizing Value
Before beginning any search one must be able to recognize things of value and also the things that are worthless. Oh how often people exchange things of great worth for valueless trifles and trinkets. They exchange:
- Honor and Truth for ... wealth.
- Virginity and Virtue for ... cheap thrills.
- Friendship and Love for ... power and authority.
- Time and Effort for ... perishable trinkets.
- Good Health for ... temporary enjoyment.
- Respect and Decency for ... applause and fame.
- Eternal Salvation for ... the pleasures of sin.
Unlike the experienced merchant man seeking goodly pearls, they are unable to recognize a valuable thing when they see it; and they barter away their most precious possessions for worthless junk.
4. Total Commitment Commanded
Though entry to the eternal Kingdom of Heaven is freely obtainable through YAHUSHUA the Messiah, a believer must put forth some effort to realize available benefits. Both parables stress the important point of total commitment.
| At All Cost |
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|---|---|
| Matthew 13:44 | Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. |
| The Pearl Merchant |
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| Matthew 13:46 | Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. |
Total commitment is not simply an ideal which believers may or may not strive for. It is commanded.
| Deut.6:5 | And thou shalt love YaHuWaH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. |
| Deut. 10:12 | And now, Israel, what doth YaHuWaH thy Elohim require of thee, but to fear YaHuWaH thy Elohim, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve YaHuWaH thy Elohim with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (See also Deut.11:13) |
| Matthew 22:37 | YAHUSHUA said unto him, Thou shalt love YaHuWaH thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. |
There are of course millions of believers who do not render this kind of service. They believe, but only just. They serve the Most High, but with a subdued fervor and a restrained commitment. Most start off very well; but many - too many - slump back into a kind of half-hearted service. Their results will not be good. It is a sad truth, but they will be the eternal losers in the long run.
5. The Judgment
Make no mistake, at the end of our lives we will all be judged. It is a good idea to keep this sobering fact in mind.
| Matthew 13:47 | Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49: So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50: And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. |
6. What Makes a Good Fish?
The Bible says all have sinned - all of us. What makes one fish good and another bad? The answer is faith in YAHUSHUA the Messiah. Good fish are good because they have faith in YaHuWaH and YAHUSHUA His Son. Fish are reckoned as 'bad' because they lack faith - they disbelieve. These primary actions of the mind - faith or doubt - determine who is reckoned by YaHuWaH as 'good' and who is 'bad.' There is also the fact that faith must subsequently exhibit itself in good behavior: else it is presumption. The following analogy defines this essential.
7. Success
Totally committed believers will have great success in the Treasure Hunt of Life. They will recognize clues and find treasures which others pass by. They will find YAHUSHUA and salvation. They will recognize the value of YaHuWaH 's Torah and will keep His holy commandments. They will put everything they have into making life a success and will build spiritual houses of the finest materials. And with the Almighty's help they will stand the test of time. And at the judgement they will hear those wonderful words.
Well done, good and faithful servants; enter into the joy of thy Master!
Aim to be one of those servants. You can do it with the Savior's help - if you really want to.
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Joy By Surprise
