Out of several parables showing the greatness of the Kingdom of Heaven, two short parables are given here. One is that of a man who found a treasure hidden in a field. He sold all that he had and bought that field. So a man who knows the greatness of the Kingdom of Heaven, will consider it more valuable than all his possessions. During the Holy Qurbana, there is a prayer in which we speak of Jesus as the one who gives us the inheritance to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Once Jesus had told his disciples to rejoice not because the devils have surrendered to them but because their names are written in Heaven. Like the man who was full of joy on seeing the field with the hidden treasure we should be full of joy thinking about the Kingdom of Heaven. He had no difficulty in selling away all that he had, because he knew that the field with the hidden treasure was more precious. So it is worthwhile to lose every worldly wealth to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. If we take possession of the Kingdom of Heaven even if we have nothing else we will be blessed.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like an invaluable pearl. The merchant who was in search of the pearl, when he found it out, was ready to buy it, at any cost. We also must be ready to pay any price, to suffer any sacrifice for the Kingdom of Heaven. Complete surrender is inevitable for attaining the Kingdom of God. In the history of Christianity we read about those who gave priority to God and His Kingdom. Their sole aim in life was the eternal Kingdom, which Jesus had prepared for them. That was why they were ready to sacrifice everything.

Which is more valuable to you, the pleasure of this mortal world or the heavenly bliss of eternal life prepared by God for you?

Memorization: (Song of Solomon 5:10)
"My beloved is all radiant and ruddy; distinguished among ten thousand."

Questions:

1. What is the lesson from the parable of the hidden treasure and the valuable pearl?
2. What are the qualities of the man who finds eternal life desirable?