That Which is Hidden

This morning I am meditating on two examples that Jesus used in describing the Kingdom of God, as recorded in Matthew 13:44-46 NIV:

[44} “The kingdom of heaven is like 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.

[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

In both of these examples, Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is hidden.  Such and interesting reality that the Kingdom of God is hidden.  Here is the soveriegnty of God, the creator of the universe, and it is hidden from plain view.  Really, that is such a surprising revelation about the Kingdom of God.  One would think that if the all-powerful God of the Universe would come to earth, He would do so in such a way that no one will miss Him, nor have any mistake about who He was and what He was capable of doing.  Instead, Jesus says the Kingdom of God is hidden in a field, or hidden in an oyster.

This is one of the reasons that so many people miss the significance of Jesus, of the church, of the Kingdom, because it is hidden from plain view by God.  We look for an all powerful God to demonstrate His power, and instead we are given Jesus.  For example, the Jews were looking for the Kingdom of God to be reestablished like the Kingdom of David or Solomon, through military might and magnificence and splendor or earthly riches.  Instead Jesus comes, hidden from view for 30 years, and when He does start His ministry He does not follow the path one would expect.  He chooses the lowly path, the simple life, the obscure and humble paths and towns.  Jesus is not the sort of King the Jews were waiting to receive, nor was the Kingdom He demonstrated the type of Kingdom they wanted restored.  Thus, they rejected Him.

In the same way, we must understand that the Kingdom is not what we would think it should look like, but rather it is generally hidden from view, and found by those who seek it.  The Kingdom is not one of fanfare, and earthly splendor and riches, but rather of relationships and people.  The Kingdom of God is one of power and authority, but the use of both are directed to setting people free and restoring relationship and worship.  His power and sovereignty is established over individual lives, not usually over geographic regions.  His Kingdom is unlike any human kingdom, or rule or organization. We must not reject the Kingdom because it appears different than we expect.

One of the other things that Jesus focuses on is the value of the Kingdom being exceedingly great!  It is worth pursuing, worth trying to find, and of greater worth than everything else we own.  The cost is high, but the value is greater.  This is one of the stumbling blocks for many people, the call to be sold out for the Kingdom of God.  It is important to note that Jesus gave this teaching about the Kingdom to His disciples in private.  I believe He was specifically addressing their own lives and their concerns about what they had given up to follow Jesus.  Regardless, our call is the same, to pursue the Kingdom and in joy embrace it with our whole life.

So let us pray for understanding and insight into the Kingdom of God.  Let us pursue Him, and His Kingdom.  Let us pursue Him knowing that we will encounter that which is of greater worth than everything else!  Let us find that which is hidden, and rejoice!