End of the Rainbow

Mat 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. 


	For the one who has become enamored with the dream of a priceless treasure, 
there is nothing that will be held back from obtaining that thing; he will do whatever it 
takes and give whatever is required. At first it would appear that this individual is a bit 
tipsy or far removed from the stability of a working mind, but when the last scoop of dirt 
is removed and the chest is opened up to reveal the great treasure within, there is no more 
second guessing. 
	In the case of the treasure in the field, however, there is more shown to be taking 
place than just a treasure being found and possessed. Before the worth of the treasure 
could actually be owned and enjoyed, a process took place that only began with the 
discovery of the treasure's existence. Even in finding the treasure there is implied the 
man's understanding of the treasure's value. Without having first obtained a certain 
amount of knowledge or information about it's content, this thing could have been easily 
passed by with no appreciation whatsoever for what is might bring to his life.  
Somewhere, though, he had heard about how wonderful this thing was, whether it was a 
piece of gold, a specially designed mechanism, evidence of an oil deposit, or some other 
thing of great monetary potential. Because he already had an awareness, when he came 
across it in the field, it wasn't just another meaningless object that could be discarded 
with the other garbage or passed by without acknowledgement. As soon as it was seen, 
this treasure began to be appreciated for what it really was.
	Now that he had made his discovery and appreciated its value, the man was still 
far from it making any difference in his life. His first response might have been to just 
snatch it up and run away with it, but in this manner it would never have been 
legitimately his. He first of all wanted to insure that it not be taken any where else where 
he wouldn't be able to return for it, so he hid it again himself. Before even owning it he 
began caring for it and treating it with appreciation for its worth. 
	Then, after he had hidden it away, safe from the possibility of someone else 
making off with it, he began to thrill to the knowledge of its existence and his special 
connection to it. Now it wasn't enough that he had come across this thing, it became a 
passionate desire of his to be its rightful owner, to possess it fair and square. Sort of like 
Gollum in the 'Lord of the Rings', there was an infatuation with this 'precious' that placed 
it in a place of value far above anything else. Although he had acquired other "treasures" 
in his life, after his discovery in the field, everything else seemed to be of little need. So, 
overwhelmed with desire for this thing, the man began to devise a means by which it 
might be his. He took everything he had ever acquired, everything that had become his 
identity, representing him and what he had exchanged his life for up to this point. He 
gathered it all together and took it to the local pawn shop or possibly put it all up on 
Craig's List. He did whatever he could to get as much value so that he somehow could 
make a deal. 
	Having obtained the sum of his worth, the approach for his real desire would have 
to be a bit subtle or else he might not be able to get it for what he had in hand. If the true 
value of this treasure was really known, there's no way it could be obtained for what he 
had been able to come up with. If, however, he could just propose purchasing the little bit 
of field where it was hidden, there was a good chance he might be able to secure an 
agreement. He knew that if he could obtain the realm in which the treasure lie, the 
treasure itself would be his. As it is related in this passage, it's interesting that this is as 
far as it goes. It doesn't say anything about what he did with the treasure from that point. 
It's implied that everything he desired was accomplished in the acquisition of the field. 
	While the treasure is the goal and the motivator in this story, the subject matter 
and the focus of Jesus is upon the kingdom of God. It's almost as if He's stressing the 
importance of obtaining the realm surrounding the Treasure in order to truly possess our 
Quest. It's not enough to just know about this Treasure and 'find' Him in a brief 
introduction. From the point of His discovery, there is a process that will bring about the 
full appreciation of His value. As He is truly cared for and preserved in a heart that is soft 
and receptive to His presence, as there is a response to His awareness with joy and 
growing desire, and as every other thing of personal value is provided in exchange, there 
is a way made to become owner of the realm where that Treasure has been hidden. As 
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance 
are possessed in exchange for everything else that had once seemed so valuable, there is 
an acquisition of the place where the true Treasure lies. He cannot be had in a brief 
encounter. He cannot be owned by knowledge alone. To have the field in which the fruit 
of relationship grows is to have the One that gives it value and makes it possible to grow. 
There is no exchange for the Treasure Himself, but by giving up everything in exchange 
for His kingdom, there will be no separation from the value that lies there. 
	The deal has already been made on His part. He, in fact, has already paid a similar 
price for our realm. He already has seen us as valuable enough to offer up His most 
priceless possession. We just need to return the gesture. 


10/23/06