By Daniel Kang
As Christians, we are met with challenges that oppose our beliefs, actions, and lifestyle. In a college setting full of people from different backgrounds, there is a diversity of worldly ideologies, behaviors, and characters that create a hub for students to grow socially and intellectually. Opinions on government as well as on morality are discussed between students and faculty so that human innovation and human intellect can progress.
Not only that, but in a college setting, we are met with students who immerse themselves in uncontrollable drinking, hook-ups, drug use, and parties that seem natural to follow. The world says that college is the time when you explore yourself, try new things, and do stupid things with your friend. But when friends realize that I don’t drink, gamble, steal, hook-up, use drugs, or smoke, they turn their heads and ask “why?”
Why is it that you don’t engage in a culture so natural and exciting, where you can feel free from your burdens and have fun?
Jesus talks about a parable that shows the same response people make who don’t know the way, the truth, and the life. After He explains the parable of the weeds to His disciples, He goes on to tell them the parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl. And He says:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a 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.”” (Matthew 13:44-45 ESV)
As many read this passage, they may think: Huh? Why would anyone sell all their possessions, all that he had, to buy that field of treasure or pearl? Surely, even though there is treasure in that field, the man didn’t have to sell everything he had to buy that field. And even though the pearl was of great value, the merchant didn’t need to sell everything just to buy this pearl.
In this parable, Jesus shows how precious the kingdom of heaven is. A treasure so valuable and rare that when the man found it, he was full of joy. A joy so profound that it compelled this man to give up everything he had. The reader can imagine the man having no land, nor house, nor clothes, nor livestock, or any worldly possession but only that field which contained that treasure.
A treasure hidden in a field.
Likewise, a merchant who, when he found a pearl of great value, sold everything he had just to buy this pearl. A single pearl in exchange for the merchant’s possessions.
A pearl of great value.
A Precious Mustard Seed
I can imagine the men’s neighbors and friends questioning the well-being of the two men. “What is wrong with these people?” They would think. And as a reader, I was initially compelled to think that the men were dumb. Of course, there’s treasure and a pearl of great value, but they could have kept the treasure and pearl and his possessions with them. So why did they sacrifice their possessions just to obtain these things of value?
Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as something that is beyond human imagination and understanding. A kingdom that is so vast and beautiful that the human mind cannot fully comprehend nor fully grasp. In another parable, He describes the kingdom of heaven as being like
“a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”(Matthew 13:31-32 ESV).
In this parable of the mustard seed, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a small tiny mustard seed, which later grows to the largest tree in the garden and welcomes “birds of the air come and perch in its branches”. In this parable, the kingdom of heaven is a place where life is overflowing with birds making its home on this tree, which all started from a small, tiny mustard seed. How precious and valuable is that tiny seed!
This goes on to show how the value of the kingdom of heaven is incomparable to anything of this world. Nothing on this Earth can compare or have the same equivalence to the kingdom of heaven. This kingdom, as Jesus implies, is an eternal kingdom. A possession that will never fade away nor lose its value. Rather, it will increase in joy and beauty as more people look upon the kingdom. This was manifested in the parable of the mustard seed. As the seed grew, its beauty and splendor grew which allowed for it to give life and provide life for the birds of the air.
These things Jesus tells us to pursue. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV). So reader, which is better to obtain: Worldly dreams, desires and possessions that are temporary and die out or the kingdom of heaven that gives life and emanates the beauty of God and His creation? Rather than aligning myself with the world and its so-called “beauty” of engaging in sinful and unholy activities, I would rather seek what is pure, holy, beautiful, and everlasting. If it makes me look dumb and stupid, so be it! For it is written in 1st Corinthians, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV). If God’s ways and will are far greater than that of man’s, it would be wise and better to submit under God and pursue His kingdom. The cost of having a bad reputation on Earth because of how I don’t align myself with the world is so much worth it since I can inherit God’s beautiful kingdom of heaven.
Treasure Hidden in a Field
Christians can be seen as “dumb” because of how they don’t copy the world and its ways of having fun. Many engage in unhealthy drinking, many Christians don’t. Many engage in hook-ups, many Christians don’t. Many dabble with the fun of using drugs or substances, but many Christians don’t. The world can see Christians as lame or dumb, but Christians see themselves as being obedient and faithful to the holiest God for what He has created: the Kingdom of Heaven.
However, how does one obtain the Kingdom of Heaven?
In the parable of the Hidden Treasure, the man “found it”. Likewise, in the parable of the pearl, the merchant “found one of great value”. These men have found the kingdom of heaven, but how does one find the kingdom of heaven? How does one seek and look for an invisible kingdom, and often unrealistic kingdom according to the standards and reality of this world?
As churches say, the answer is always Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and live eternally with God. For He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The way to salvation, the truth to the Kingdom, and the life for all to have. It is not by our strength nor abilities that we can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but by the blood of Christ, in which he has already shed and given us eternal life.
For those who are still doubting whether you are a Christian, non-Christian, or were a Christian, this article is an invitation for you to ask the Lord. Even if you don’t know Him fully, ask the Lord, and He will give it to you, for faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Furthermore, God has created us to be eternal beings. This world is not the end. There is a kingdom of heaven that awaits those who accept Christ into their hearts. For we are not citizens of this world, but citizens of heaven. And with that, reader, I don’t need to worry about what other people think about me and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Rather, I have hope for Christ to take me back home.
So, have you found Christ?
“For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” (1 Peter 4:3-6 ESV)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:7-12 ESV)