Parable of treasure (Israel) and the Pearl (Children of God) (Matthew 13:44-46, John 11:51-52)

Enjoying Be Loyal by Warren Wiersbe

Matthew13:1-23 starts with revealing the kingdom of heaven in the parable of the soils. Wiersbe ties these together through the definition of "parable" as "to cast alongside" - they are interrelated about the kingdom of heaven. The mystery of spiritual truth is understood by divine revelation, only to those "insiders" who learn from the Lord and obey Him. 

Jesus didn't teach parables to confuse or condemn people. He sought to excite their interest and arouse their curiosity. Parables would give light to those with trusting, searching hearts. But they would bring darkness to the unconcerned and unrepentant. 

Parables of Jesus are primarily about Salvation

Seven parables describe the spiritual course of "the kingdom of heaven" in this present age. In them, three stages of spiritual development

1. Beginning of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-9,18-23), preaching the Word of God (Heb 4:12, Rom 10:17, Matt 13:9, Mark 4:24, Luke 8:18) - "fruit" is the test of true salvation (Matt 7:16)
1. Holiness (Rom 6:22), Christian character (Gal 5:22-23), good works (Col 1:10), winning others to Christ (Rom 1:13), sharing what we have (Rom 15:25-28), praising God (Heb 13:15)
2. Persecution helps the believers to grow (like sunshine), but must be rooted in honest soil (Luke 8:15) in order not to be killed by it. 
2. Opposition to the Kingdom (Matthew 13:24-43), Satanic opposition (Matthew 13:4,19), planting imitator Christians - false growth, false doctrine (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43)
1. Counterfeit Christians (2 Cor 11:15) believe the counterfeit gospel (Gal 1:6-9), counterfeit righteousness (Rom 10:1-3), counterfeit church (Rev 2:9), counterfeit Christ (2 Thes 2:1-12)
1. Tares-fales Christians (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43), musterd Seed- outward false growth (Matthew 13:31-32) as birds in it's branches could connect to Matt 13:4,19, leaven-inward development of false docrtin and false living (Matt 13:33). Leaven pictured as hypocrisy (Luke 12:1), false teaching (Matt 16:6-12), wordly compromise (Matt 22:16-21), carnality in church (1 Cor 5:6-9), false doctrine (Gal 5:9) Sin like yeast puffs up (1 Cor 4:18-19;5:2;8:1)
2. I've always seen this parable in positive terms, teaching takin to heart will permiate into all parts of life (ie the gospel). However the Lord has shown me this week that my heart is deceitful and I need Him to search my heart and examine my mind (Jer 17:9-10, Romans 8:27) I still have prominent sin (Mark 7:21-22) only God can heal me (Psalm 139:23-24) and make me new (Eph 4:22)
2. Stay awake, don't let Satan's ministers into true fellowship, and do damage (2 Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6). Not to pull weeds but to expose lies of satan.
3. Outcome of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:44-50)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

 - Isreal is the treasure. Jesus died for them with Joy (Hebrews 12:1-2)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. - Matthew 13:44-46

 - Pearl is a unity, developed over time. Unlike a diamond it is not cut but shaped.

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. - John 11:51-52