Jesus' Parables - The Treasure & The Pearl
This is our Sunday teaching from Senior Pastor, Tom Thompson, given at our Sunday services on Sunday 9th February.
If you’d like to run a connect group session based on this talk the notes are here.
Talk Summary: The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price: What Are You Seeking?
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells two short but profound parables: the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great price. Each reveals a striking truth about the Kingdom of Heaven—one that demands our attention and, ultimately, our response.
Treasure in a Field: More Than Meets the Eye
Imagine stumbling across something priceless—a treasure hidden in a field. You weren’t expecting it, but as soon as you recognize its worth, you do whatever it takes to make it yours. That’s the image Jesus gives us of encountering His Kingdom.
At first glance, Christianity might seem like just another religion—a field of routine, rules, and hard work. But when you dig deeper, you find miraculous grace, unshakable purpose, and life-changing joy. Jesus offers more than a set of moral guidelines; He offers identity, wisdom, power, and love beyond measure. The Kingdom isn’t about earning favor—it’s about discovering a gift that transforms everything.
What Brings True Joy?
Many of us struggle to feel joy. Jesus consistently associates joy with His Kingdom because it brings more than we could ever earn on our own. But like the man in the parable, we need to dig—pressing into the reality of who God is, peeling back the layers of Scripture, and seeking His presence.
A guest at church, struggling with depression, pressed in during a sermon. He felt God speaking to him, awakening a part of himself he had shut down. That small step—digging deeper—led to a renewed joy and sense of purpose, impacting not just his own life but the lives of the students he began mentoring. Sometimes, all it takes is a little more effort to unearth the riches of God’s Kingdom.
The Pearl of Great Price: The Cost of Discipleship
Unlike the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price isn’t stumbled upon—it’s sought after. Some of us are searching, striving for something of real worth. We long for wisdom, for beauty, for meaning. Jesus tells us that the Kingdom is that one, incomparable find—but it comes at a cost.
Following Jesus isn’t cheap. It demands repentance, surrender, and sacrifice. It’s easy to say “yes” to Jesus in a moment of faith, but walking the road of discipleship costs us everything. Jesus Himself faced rejection, misunderstanding, and suffering. He tells us that taking up our cross and following Him isn’t optional—it’s essential.
No Pain, No Gain?
In the gym, the phrase “no pain, no gain” is often repeated. We understand that growth requires struggle, yet when it comes to faith, we often resist the process. The truth is, some of us have settled for mediocre pearls—safe, comfortable faith without true surrender. But Jesus calls us to more.
Whether it’s confronting past sin, having difficult conversations, stepping out in evangelism, or surrendering financial worries to God, we are invited to pay the price for the Kingdom’s riches. It may cost us, but what we gain is far greater.
The cross comes before the resurrection. But the treasure? The pearl? They are worth everything. Will you go after them?