Treasure Hunting

Treasure Hunting, delivered October 1, 2017, Texts: Matthew 13:45-46; Matthew 6:19-21


Treasure and pearls. Today’s parables may at first seem like a short version of old stories with the character searching and discovering great wealth. But like the parable of the yeast last week, though they are short, they are filled with insight if we sit long enough to hear. If you have heard these parables before then the other challenge is to set aside previous interpretations to see if there is something new to hear.

Let’s look first at what the parables actually say. In the first parable it says a man finds treasure in a field and then sells all his property so that he can buy the field and keep the treasure. And the treasure is directly linked to the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew the kingdom of God is referred to as the kingdom of heaven, but these have the same meaning. The second parable describes a man who is a merchant searching for valuable pearls. But in his search he finds one of such value that he sells all he has to buy it. It might be easy to think that like the first parable the kingdom of heaven is linked to the pearl. But this is not what the second parable actually says. Rather it says, the kingdom of heaven is like this event of a merchant searching for pearls but surprised to find one of such extreme value. So why does that make a difference? Because if we say that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl then it becomes something we can buy and obtain. The same as other jewels. And this goes against everything else we read in the Gospels about God’s kingdom.

The kingdom of God is not something we can buy or control, rather as in both stories it is something that surprises us and then consumes us. In the first parable, the man is not searching for treasure. He is not a treasure hunter, he is just an ordinary person, like you and I. But one day he stumbles upon treasure in a field. Treasure that fills him with joy and consumes him so that he sells everything to buy the field and obtain it. The second man is a merchant. He is used to buying and selling things, specifically pearls. But one day, he is surprised to find the most amazing pearl. He has seen pearls before, but this one is so different from all others. So much so that he also sells everything to buy this pearl. And as a result, since he has sold everything, he is no longer a merchant. His occupation has changed. His identity has changed.

As I read these parables, I thought of some of the stories I have heard from you. Some of you have sold much, or worked and saved a lot of money so that you could come here to Germany. For some of you, you have put everything into this decision and there is not really any other option now. But my question to you is this. What is the pearl for which you are searching? What is that one thing that will consume you so that you would throw yourself entirely into obtaining it? It is important to reflect on this because if you don’t know what it is, you won’t realize when it comes. The merchant knew he was looking for pearls so when he found this special one, he knew it was the end of his search. 

Too often we are seeking, but left disappointed. We think money, or a great job, or a spouse, or something else will fulfill us. But when this does not, we are left disappointed. And so we go from one thing to the next. In a continual cycle of searching, followed by disappointment. But, we can be like the merchant who finds what he has been looking for and knows he does not need to search any more. And so also, we change who we are. 

We all come to this place searching for something. For some it is community, for others to fill a curiosity, for some a practical step for your asylum. For me, it does not matter why you have first come here. But my prayer and hope is that for some, you have been surprised by the treasure you have found. That you know God loves you and has shown this love through Jesus. And that there is something about following God the way Jesus taught us that has caught your eye and begun to consume you. That in this space you experience God’s love, you find peace, and that this way of living changes your life.


And then what do we do with this? The parables do not say what the men did with the treasure and pearl. What do we do with our treasure when we find it? Do we keep it to ourselves, or do we share this amazing wonder with others? Earlier in Matthew, Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, but lay up treasures in heaven” (6:19-20). When we truly find something so amazing that it consumes us to sell everything, then people know there is something different. We are not the same as we were before. We have changed and this change is seen by others. O God, fill us with your love. That we would be so consumed by your love that it would pour out to others. And in so doing, that your kingdom would come. Amen.

Material from Amy-Jill Levine, Short Stories by Jesus. Harper One, 2014.

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