The true lessons of this parable are briefly these:
I. It represents the experience, not of a careless or a profane man, who stumbles suddenly upon the Gospel when he was in in search of other things, but of one who is awakened, and has begun to seek the true religion, endeavouring to add attainment to attainment sincerely, according to his light. His conscience is uneasy. He has tried the old specific, "All these have I kept from my youth up;" but it no longer avails to soothe his spirit. "What lack I yet?" burst from his breast in broken sighs. There is truth in the man, though not wisdom. He is honestly seeking the way, and the Lord leads him. He is seeking, he shall find.
II. It represents the unparalleled, inconceivable richness of God's mercy in Christ, taking away all a sinner's sin, and bestowing on him freely the place and privileges of a dear child.
III. It represents that these riches lie, not in an accumulation of goodly attainments, such as men are wont to traffic in, but in one undivided, indivisible, hitherto unknown and unimagined treasure.
IV. It represents that the inquirer, the instant he discovers that this one incomparable, all-comprehending treasure exists and is offered to him, cheerfully, eagerly, unhesitatingly gives away all that he possesses in order to acquire it. That is, he gives all for Christ, and then enjoys all in Christ.
W. Arnot, The Parables of our Lord,p. 144.
The Pearl of Great Price.
Note:
I. The persons represented by this merchant. Different characters, different classes of sinners, are represented as being saved in the two parables of the hid treasure and the pearl of great price. For examples of these, let me select two remarkable men Colonel Gardiner and John Bunyan. Gardiner's was a sudden and remarkable conversion. In salvation he found as much as the man in the treasure which his ploughshare brought to light, what he never sought nor expected. Bunyan, on the other hand, seeking the pardon of sin, a purer life, and a holier heart, had been a merchant seeking "goodly pearls;" and, in his case, the seeker became the finder.
II. The pearl of great price. As all which the merchant sought in acquiring many goodly pearls was found in one one precious, peerless gem Jesus teaches us that the soul finds in Himself all it feels the want of and has been seeking in other ways peace with God and peace of conscience, a clean heart and a renewed mind, hope in death and a heaven of glory after it.
III. How this pearl was obtained. It was not bestowed as a gift. On the contrary, the merchantman, trading in goodly pearls, bought it at the price of all he had. Though we cannot, in the ordinary sense of the term, buy salvation, no man is saved but he who gives up his sins for Christ, takes up his cross, and, denying himself daily, follows Jesus.
IV. Some lessons taught by this figure of a merchant. (1) It teaches us to make religion our chief pursuit. (2) It teaches us to guard against deception. (3) It teaches us to examine our accounts with God.
T. Guthrie, The Parables read in the Light of the Present Day,p. 229.
References: Matthew 13:45; Matthew 13:46. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxiv., No. 1424; R. Winterbotham, Sermons and Expositions,p. 142; R. C. Trench, Notes on the Parables,p. 133; M. Dix, Sermons Doctrinal and Practical,p. 208; H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 1,749. Matthew 13:46. Preacher's Monthly,vol. x., p. 123; C. J. Vaughan, Three Hundred Outlines on the New Testament,p. 21.Matthew 13:47; Matthew 13:48. R. Winterbotham, Sermons and Expositions,p. 157. Matthew 13:47-50. Christian World Pulpit,vol. v., p. 179; W. Arnot, Parables of our Lord,p. 160; J. R. Macduff, Parables of the Lake,p. 180.