What should we make of Matthew 13:44?
The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Two possibilities:
(1) Is it Jesus who "sells all he has and buys that field"? It is an apt metaphor for all that Jesus has done.
(2) Is it us? Humanity's sin is pride that says, I am god. To enter the kingdom of God requires us to say, Jesus is God and I am not. It requires us to give up our autonomy. Thus, the treasure is Jesus and we give up everything to follow Him.
Supportive of explanation number one is that in Hebrews 12:2, "Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame ..."
On the other hand, Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of heaven ..." This suggests explanation number two fits better as it calls for us to exert our will to pursue the kingdom.
Hmmm ...
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