Kingdom Parables

M. M. NINAN
The treasure is again identified in the Old Testament Proverbs 2:4 and
8:21 as “the fear of the Lord” or the “Knowledge of God.” “If you seek
it like silver and search for it as for a hidden treasure, then you will
understand the FEAR OF THE LORD, and find the
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his
mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” (Pro. 2:4-6) In the New
Testament terms it is the knowledge of God’s mystery - i.e. Christ and
the Word of God. “To have all the riches of assured understanding and
the knowledge of God’s mystery, of Christ in whom are hid all treasures
and wisdom and knowledge. “ (Col. 2:3)
Thus the hidden treasure is nothing but the knowledge of the mystery of
God in Christ. This treasure was hidden by earth - covered by base
things of this world. But it was also hidden in the hearts of men that the
world might know that the transcendent power belongs to God.
In this story the man first hid it for fear that it will be taken away from
him. But in his joy he went and sold everything he had and bought it.
We shall see how this has come about in this period in history.
6.3 GOD SHOWS HIS TRANSCENDENCE
We have seen how during the period of the State Church, the clergy
became more and more powerful until the Church became the State
under Papal Empire of Rome. Though it was more prominent in Rome,
the same type of growth took place in other parts of world to a lesser
extent. The legalism and rituals and external coverings hid the true
Gospel. In the accelerated development of the priestcraft, the word of
God was finally taken away from the people. God now stepped in. He
brought out by the might of his spirit people who had access to the
written word of God - some of the clergy, professors in clerical
seminaries and the monks - to open up their eyes and see the hidden
treasure. They were able to see the real Gospel of Salvation through
Christ by Grace. The interesting thing is that this discovery was not
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