HAVING spoken four parables in the hearing of the multitudes on the seashore, the Saviour retired into the house with His disciples. He had other matters to communicate which only men born of the Spirit could be expected to understand. In His public utterances He had shown the Kingdom of heaven, i.e., Christian profession in its outward aspect — what any eye could see and any mind comprehend. He had graphically described the rise, development, and doom of Christianity, viewed as an external system. But if He had said no more it might have been inferred that Satan was destined to be completely triumphant over all the work of God. For it is beyond controversy that the parables of the tares, mustard tree, and leaven portend disaster, viewed from a spiritual standpoint.
In the privacy of the house the Lord presented another aspect of things to His disciples, others besides the twelve being included in His audience (Mark 4:1010And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. (Mark 4:10)). Three additional parables were given, the first of these being that of the hidden treasure. “The Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found it, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field” (Matt. 13:4444Again, 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. (Matthew 13:44)). The field is the world, according to the Lord’s own interpretation; the treasure represents the saints who are in it. By the saints we mean all who truly believe in the Saviour’s name and who have been washed from their sins in His precious blood. He purchased the world for the sake of the hidden treasure, as a man to-day might purchase a quantity of old books for the sake of one volume on which his heart is set. The world is thus Christ’s, not only by right of creation, but also by right of purchase. Nothing can hinder it ultimately coming into his possession, with every person therein, however rebellious. The Father has given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him (John 17:22As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (John 17:2)). When the age is completed Christ will be seen surrounded by all His own (not one missing), even though the outer framework of Christendom he utterly wrecked. His enemies will then be constrained to bow to Him, in acknowledgment of His title and rights, and will forever justify the righteous sentence which He will pass upon them for their contumacy and unbelief.
Every believing heart is overwhelmed with wonder and adoration at the thought of the purchase price. He “selleth all that He hath.” Our blessing required the surrender of His heavenly glory, the degradation of the Bethlehem manger, and the shame of the cross of Calvary. Sin could only be atoned for by death and blood-shedding. But even from this the Saviour did not shrink, for the joy of being able to surround Himself eternally with happy myriads picked up by sovereign grace out of the ruin of everything below. If His own will experience joy in finding themselves in His heavenly presence, His heart will find deepest joy in having them there.