Sean Howard
January 11th, 2026
Matthew 13:44–46
Rev. Sean Howard explored Jesus’ parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl to show that the Kingdom of God is of incomparable worth. When people truly encounter the Kingdom, it isn’t merely a matter of adding Jesus into one’s life but joyfully submitting our own “kingdoms” to His. The striking part of the parables isn’t only the sacrifice of selling everything, but the joy with which it’s done — because nothing compares to what is gained. Yet to the watching world such choices can seem foolish, even “scandalous.” Rev. Howard illustrated how glimpses of the Kingdom can lead to surprising generosity, as seen in InterVarsity students who gave beyond expectations for a fall retreat. When the treasure is real, believers don’t just feel obligated to give — they want to. Jesus invites us to see the Kingdom clearly, so that no other place is where we’d rather be.