Jesus told parables.  A parable is an earthly story that teaches heavenly truth.

The parables vary in length.  The parable of the lost son and the parable of the sower are two of the longest.  But the parables of the hidden treasure, a precious pearl, and a net are short.  All three are told in the space of just seven verses (Matthew 13.44-50)!

What truths are to be learned from them?

I suggest that the three parables of the hidden treasure, precious pearl and net are told to teach us two very important lessons about the church.

First, the Lord Jesus wants us to know that a Christian is a person who will give up everything to know Christ and enjoy eternal life.  This is surely the lesson taught by the first two.

In the parable of the treasure we read of a person who finds that which was hidden.  He does not steal it.  Instead he sells all that he has and buys the field in which the treasure is hidden.  We are not told that he was looking for the treasure.  The impression given is that he just happens to find it.

It is different for the merchant.  In the parable of the precious pearl we learn that a merchant searches for a fine pearl.  He actively engages in that activity.  It is as though he goes to traders to see what they have.  He eyes with care all that is on offer.  He is keen to spot a pearl of special value.  What does he do when he finds one?  He also sells all that he has.  He does so because he wants to be able to buy the precious pearl he has found.

The difference between the two people of these parables helps us.  It reminds us that our own activities and circumstances differ.  But that is not the main point of the parables.  What we are to note is that the two people end up doing the same.  Each one sells all that he has and each purchases the valuable object found.

Why does Jesus tell these parables?  Surely the answer has to be because he wants us to see that each and every person ought to realise that the kingdom of God is the most important and valuable treasure of all.  How do we know that?  Because the Lord Jesus says that the hidden treasure and precious pearl are pictures of what the kingdom of heaven is like.  It is that which is of such value that we are to be eager to give up everything in our desire to possess it.

A significant difference between Christians and other people emerges.  Sadly there are many who do not see the importance of possessing the eternal life that is enjoyed by those who have faith in Jesus Christ.  They are not persuaded that Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one can go to the Father except through him.

But those in whom the Spirit of God is at work are persuaded of those truths concerning the Lord Jesus.  As a result they are ready to give up everything for Him.  He is the one they treasure.  He they prize above all things.

Thus we see that a mark of true faith is a readiness to sacrifice everything for Christ.  On the other hand, if a person proves unwilling to prize Christ above all others and all things then it would not be amiss for you to deduce that that person does not know the grace of God toward the undeserving.

What is the second lesson Christ would have you learn from the third parable found in Matthew 13.44-50?  It also teaches us an important truth about the kingdom of God (see v 47).  But the emphasis in the parable of the net is on the make-up of the church in this age.  Hence the shift is away from the character of a true believer who knows what a priceless treasure the gospel of God is.  Instead the focus is on the nature of the visible church in the world.

When a fishermen lets down into the water a net he does so knowing that many different kinds of fish could well be caught within it.  Some will be good fish; others will be bad.  By bad we are to understand that which is harmful or unwholesome.  The fisherman knows the need to separate the bad from the good.  Jesus says that similarly there will be on the last day a separation of the evil from the righteous.

Two important lessons may be noted.

First, in this age the visible church is not perfect.  It does not consist solely of those born from above by the Spirit of God.

Numbered amongst those who gather to worship God in any locality there will be some who are not born again.  Some, that is, who have not yet been renewed, who do not yet know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

They will have heard the good news that God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish.  Yet they do not rest on Jesus Christ alone for their acceptance with God.

This is a sobering fact.  And you do well to take it to heart since it will help you have realistic expectations of a local church.  Yes, you will want all who regularly attend church meetings to be true Christians.  That is something for which you will labour and pray.  But beware of presuming that all who call themselves Christian are actually Christians.  Some will be; others may not be.

We need to beware that we do not too hastily make a judgment.  We do not have a perfect understanding.  Nor can we infallibly discern the state of an individual’s heart.  There is a lot to be said for charitably assuming that a profession of faith is credible until we have evidence to think otherwise.

However, at the same time we need to beware of assuming that a local church only consists of Christians.  In any fellowship there will be the false and the true, the unconverted and the converted, the unregenerate and the regenerate.  The perfect state will be in the new heavens and new earth.  It will be after the evil have been separated from the righteous.

Secondly, therefore, we are to prepare ourselves for the time when the good and the bad are separated.  In the parable Jesus makes it clear that on the last day the evil will experience misery.  Moreover he indicates that their misery will continue forever.

Surely no one in their right mind wants to be separated from God forever.  And surely all who attend places of worship will want to be sure that they will live with God forever.  Or to put it in the terms of the parable, surely all who call themselves Christian will not rest satisfied until they are assured that they are numbered amongst the good rather than with the bad.

In the last analysis it is not whether you attend church, read the Bible, pray, are baptised, or regularly partake of bread and wine at the Lord’s Supper that is decisive.  No, what is essential is whether you have been born again.  Being content with being on a church membership roll is not what you should be.  The key issue is whether you are truly converted.

And the reason why that is crucial is because, as the Lord Jesus says in the parable of the net, the day of separation is coming.  It will be on us soon.  And it will result in you either enjoying eternal life with God or eternal misery apart from him.  I urge you not to rest until you know you are born again and one of God’s special people.       © EPC  7 June 2015