IN A WINDOW in an old church for many years was a picture of a dog. Originally he belonged to a peddler and near the church is a piece of ground known as “Peddler’s Acre.”
Years ago the peddler went about selling laces, matches, pins, etc. — anything small and cheap — and he was always accompanied by his dog. One day he and his faithful friend were crossing an open space when the dog stopped, sniffed around, and began to dig into the ground.
The peddler was in no hurry, and for want of something better to do, he sat down and watched the dog at work. It was not very long before the dog uncovered an old pot in which the peddler found hundreds of coins — both gold and silver.
You can imagine how surprised the peddler was. He quickly covered the pot with earth again, marked the spot with a small stick, and went off in search of the owner of the land. It so happened that the soil was poor and the owner was glad to sell the peddler the ground for a very small sum. Now the peddler not only became owner of the land, but also the legal owner of the hid treasure.
He became rich overnight.
Near to this piece of waste land was the parish church, and as a thank offering for his wonderful find, the peddler gave a sum of money to the church. But it all began with the inquisitiveness of his friend, the dog, who was wont to test everything with his nose.
This story surely reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus, “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.” The story the Lord Jesus told us is far more wonderful than the story of the “peddler,” for you will notice there is one immense diffence.
The peddler bought his land and his treasure for a mere trifle. The One in our Lord’s story “sold all that he had” to buy the field. The Lord Jesus has told us in another scripture (v. 38) that “the field is the world.” By His death upon the cross — the greatest price that was ever paid — He bought the field. He saw in that field a “hidden treasure,” sinners like you and me whom He would have to share with Him His glory in that heavenly land, the objects of His love forever.
Satan claims the world as his; he is its prince (John 14: 30) and its god (2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)). Man also wants the world for himself. When the Father sent His beloved Son into the world “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:1111He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11). Men said, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast Him out of the vineyard, and killed Him.” Luke 20:14,1514But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? (Luke 20:14‑15).
But the Lord Jesus gave His life to buy the field and He has all the rights to work in it as well. He is gathering out the treasure — sinners who will trust Him as their Saviour, redeemed by His precious blood. One day soon He will come and take them out bodily and the world will see in that day that they were owned and loved of Him. Then He will come and set up His kingdom on earth. All His enemies will be destroyed, Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit, all creation will be set free from the bondage of sin, and His reign shall be a glorious time of blessing and peace.
In the meantime He is sending out the gospel, inviting sinners to come and be saved. How is it with you, dear reader? Are you one of His treasures? If not, come now while it is the “accepted time"; come while it is “the day of salvation” (2 Cor, 6:2).
ML-01/14/1973