The Finding

Matthew 13: 44-46 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.

As we continue to look at the parables of the field and the pearl, a key distinction between these parables arises. The man who buys the field wasn’t necessarily looking for a great treasure. Maybe he was a hired worker that day. Maybe the field belonged to a friend he was visiting. Maybe he was a traveler moving through the countryside. Either way, he found the treasure simply by stumbling upon it. The merchant who found the pearl, on the other hand, was actively looking for such a treasure.

This is a picture of the ways in which we find Jesus. Some people are looking for something to direct their lives or to help them move through the world. Other people are simply moving through life when they happen to stumble into Jesus. Either way, the response is the same – they recognize the value of the thing they have found, and they are on board.

Reflect on your spiritual journey. Did you stumble across the kingdom, or were you actively seeking? Maybe it’s a bit of both.