By David Wilkerson

Matthew tells us Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables: "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 13:34-35).

To many Christians today, the parables sound very simple. Yet, according to Christ, each parable holds an incredible secret. There's a hidden, kingdom truth in every parable Jesus told. And that truth is discovered only by those who diligently seek for it.

Many believers skim over the parables quickly. They think they see an obvious lesson and quickly move on. Or, they dismiss a parable's meaning as not applying to them. So they turn to Paul's writings instead, seeking "deeper truths." They want a theology that's laid out for them clearly and expounded in detail.

But I think of two parables Jesus told his disciples. In my opinion, these parables contain perhaps some of the most profound truth any believer could lay hold of:

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46).

You may think, "What's so hidden about these truths? We all know Jesus is the pearl of great price, the treasure buried in the field. That's no great secret." I tell you, there's hidden manna in these two parables. And only a handful of believers have discovered it. Why? They've never taken the time to dig as the man in this parable dug. Indeed, these two desperate figures - the digging man and the dogged merchant - make Jesus' meaning clear: God's secrets must be desired above all else in life.

The Bible states clearly there are secrets of the Lord: "His secret is with the righteous" (Proverbs 3:32). These secrets have been unknown from the foundation of the world. But Matthew tells us they're buried in Jesus' parables. These hidden truths have power to truly set Christians free. Yet few are willing to pay the high cost of discovering them.

Now, we all know the gift of salvation is free. Jesus paid the price of our salvation in full, for all eternity. "Being justified freely by his grace" (Romans 3:24). Moreover, he invites us to drink from his ever-flowing fountain of grace: "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).

I witnessed the joy this grace brings when I preached in Italy recently. Thousands poured forward to accept Jesus in those meetings. These people didn't just recite a sinner's prayer, but prayed in depth, weeping, confessing, calling on the Lord. They were being freely saved and delivered by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Yet, in his parable of the sower, Jesus warns that not everyone who confesses him will continue on in faith. According to the parable, some seed (the gospel) will fall on good ground. That seed will take root, grow and bear fruit. But other seed will fall on stony ground and wither before it can develop roots. And still other seed will fall on thorny ground, and Satan will quickly rob it.

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Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.
Filipenses 4:13.