Matthew 13:46 Pearl of Great Price...I really liked Henry Morris' interpretation of this parable. He says that the treasure in the field parable and the pearl of great price both teach the same basic truth under different figures. (like the mustard seed and the leaven parables) He says that both these parables speak to the tremendous value of becoming true citizens of the kingdom. In both cases the one finding the kingdom surrenders all he had to gain it. He quoted Paul in Philippians 3:8 here and Hebrews 11:6
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
To gain the kingdom, Dr. Morris says, the Lord may not call on us to give up all, but we must be willing, in effect, to do so. We are "dead" in our sins, and dead men do not bargain, hoping to enter the kingdom and yet holding on to the world. He points to the rich young ruler in Luke 18, who, when being told he must give up all his possessions if he would "inherit eternal life", refused to follow Jesus.
(The common opinion or interpretation of these parables is that the "man" in each case is Christ, the "treasure" is Israel and the "pearl" the church) This Henry Morris says seems to miss the thrust of the other parables in Matthew 13 all of which have to do with the character and people of the physical aspect of God's kingdom. )
