One of my favorite parables is the one about the hidden treasure. It is just one verse, but it packs a punch. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matthew 13.44, ESV).”
So we see that the treasure is hidden and requires the man to do some searching. Upon finding it, he makes a judgement call that this treasure is worth more than he already possesses. In his mind, the logical thing to do is to sell what is worth less so that he can gain more. It would seem like simple math on his part.I think that is one of Jesus’ points. As Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).”
To everyone else, however, this might have looked like a foolish venture. To the one he bought the land from, it would seem rash; maybe even a little crazy. People buy and sell land, sure, but to go and sell everything for a piece of land raises some attention. That’s the “all in” move. And that, I think is another one of Jesus’ points. The kingdom of heaven isn’t , a simple transaction. You can’t enter the kingdom of heaven like one would buy a large piece of land, even if it is an expensive piece of land. That’s normal. People do that all the time. People barter and trade to try to get a good deal. Jesus is clear that this cost the man “all that he has.” Jesus didn’t pull the punch to the rich young man. When asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Eventually, Jesus gets to the same point, “...You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me (Mark 10:21).” To inherit the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to give up all for Jesus.
But perhaps the most intriguing thing about this passage is the manner in which the man sells all that he has. “...in his joy he goes and sells all that he has…” That is the part that I get fixated on. I can do the math and see the pros vs the cons of following Jesus. I can see how Jesus wants total surrender to him and that I must be willing to give up everything. This joy is in stark contrast to many religions, especially ones that would tell you to delay your gratification and look to the future for the fulfillment of your hope.
I think there are many things to say on this, but suffice to say, for the believer who has the hope in the future glory of inheriting the kingdom of heaven the joy comes from the Holy Spirit. In that same passage where Paul says that the sufferings of this world are nothing compared to the future glory, he goes on to say that we have been given “...the firstfruits of the Spirit… (Romans 8:23).” In the NLT, it reads, “foretaste.” In my mind, I see that as an appetiser. We don’t have the whole meal in front of us, but we get the appetiser and who isn’t happy when the appetisers come? They make you hungrier but the they give you that excitement and eagerness as you hope for what is to come.
There is suffering. There is difficulty and persecution. But, through all of that, our hope can be fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit.