We are immersed in a society that thrives on exchanges, trades, and deals. Everything gets an assigned value – whether this is conscious, said out loud, or only calculated within. It’s great if you can come out ahead (at least a little) of whomever you’re dealing with. But, whatever you do, don’t you dare get taken, cheated, or come out on the short end of any transaction. And it doesn’t matter if the transaction involves money, goods or even in the ebb and flow of personal relationships. We think that this is how the world works. Of course it isn’t.
Matthew has the most parables, and they’re packed into one of the five sections of his Gospel in what has been designated as chapter 13 (since the original had no chapters or verses). The Gospel has a pair of these stories back-to-back, which is meant to drive home the same message: the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46). They imply a question, “What is God’s Kingdom worth?”
Matthew speaks of God’s reign, which begins with Jesus’ life and work, as the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark and Luke use the phrase, the Kingdom of God, which is perhaps more likely what Jesus called it. Matthew is always super attentive to the sensibilities of his Jewish audience. He doesn’t want to give offense, where possible, while clearly presenting Jesus as the new Moses, the Messiah, the Promised One. For Mathew, Jesus did not come to do away with the cherished traditions and the Law, but to bring them to the fullness that God intended. The Jewish people had developed a practice of not using the name of the Most High, whom they commonly referred to as Lord. Jesus, on the other hand, had no qualms about talking very personally and directly about God.
In the parable of the treasure hidden in the field, it seems that the one who comes across it is not looking for it, but kind of stumbles upon (or over) it. The field just happens to be the shortest distance between here and there. But, the finder immediately understands the immense value of the treasure, covers it up again, and hurries off to locate the one who owns the field in order to buy it – using all the money the finder has. Jesus says that God’s Kingdom is like that hidden treasure. We are to keep our eyes open to recognize God’s Kingdom waiting to be discovered along our daily path. And (this is the tough part) we are to give all we have, all we are to God. Like Jesus, holding nothing back.
The parable of the pearl of great price has the same message. The main difference is that the merchant is in the pearl business and is systematically seeking the finest pearl possible. There is nothing casual or accidental here. The merchant knows what he or she is after, and recognizes THE pearl when finding it. Like the finder, the merchant gives all to have her or his heart’s deepest desire.
The Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God, is God’s loving presence and action among all creation, bringing about that which is truly good, beautiful and of true value. We might call this free gift of God, grace. In order to build up this Kingdom, we are invited to freely give our whole selves. Isn’t that the core of love, self-gift, with no reservations? But it’s so hard to escape the market mentality that pervades so much. We are constantly tempted to withhold something, just in case. We don’t want to look like fools, easy marks, patsies. So the coming of God’s Kingdom slows, because we are not all in.