The Contrasting Parables of Treasure and Pearl

The prior work of God in a person’s heart is the underlying presupposition of the parables of the treasure and the pearl. Those parables describe the kind of people who have already been made alive in Christ. To use the imagery of the first two parables [of Matthew 13], they are the ones in whom the seed of the gospel has already been planted and is beginning to bear fruit. In the first, a man finds a treasure in a field. Jesus says, “When [he] found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (v. 44 NIV). In the second, He describes a merchant looking for pearls. “When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (v. 46 NIV).

The Point of the Parables

The point of these parables lies in the nature and actions of those who discover the great treasure, which is the gospel. In this, the man who discovered the treasure and the merchant who found the pearl are identical. There is a point of contrast that should not be overlooked, however. The man who found the hidden treasure was apparently not looking for it—his discovery was an accident—but in the case of the merchant, the finding of the pearl was the result of a long and faithful quest.

You have asked, and the answer has been given. You have sought, and Jesus is presented.

The Contrast of the Parables

That contrast aptly describes the past experiences of people who find salvation. Some were not particularly anxious to find Christ—in fact, not even very interested in religion. They were going on their way when suddenly an unexpected thing confronted them: the gospel. They had never really seen it before. They were not seeking it. But there it was and at once, with that insight granted by God’s internal work of regeneration, they saw that this was a prize of far greater value than anything that had ever come into their lives previously. They saw themselves as sinners in need of a Savior. They saw Jesus as that Savior. They recognized that if they had Him, they had all else besides. So they turned to Him and believed, on the spot. Their case is an illustration of Isaiah’s words, “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me” (Isa. 65:1).

Perhaps you are like that, even as you read these words. You have not been seeking God. You have been reading merely to fill an idle moment, not to find salvation. But suddenly the way is open before you. Christ is present, and you are drawn to Him. If so, God is at work; be glad for that. Now follow through, as did the man who found the hidden treasure.

The other type of person is quite different. He is one who really had sought God and had found the way long and difficult. It is true that this person sought only because God had first come seeking him. It could be said of him as it is said in the hymn:

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew He moved my soul to seek him, seeking me; It was not I that found, O Savior true; No, I was found of thee.

But this person did not know that during his years of seeking. Those were dark years of false leads and harmful misunderstandings. At times he nearly despaired, but then the search was rewarded. The pearl of great price was before him, and now everything else was laid aside to secure that most valued object. Those are the ones of whom Jesus spoke when He said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7).

Perhaps you are that kind of person. You have not been indifferent to spiritual things but you have been seeking, and now the end of your quest is before you. Here is Jesus. Now you must believe on Him unto salvation. You have asked, and the answer has been given. You have sought, and Jesus is presented. Now you must knock and enter in by the opened door. Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).