"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13.44-46
The most basic and clear interpretation of these two parallel parable is that the kingdom of heaven is extremely valuable and comes at a very high cost to the seeker/buyer. In contrast, Christian evangelists often proclaim a gospel that salvation is a "free" gift and costs nothing. The quintessential reference for this idea comes from Paul's statement in Romans,
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6.23
What is the "cost" that Jesus is referring to?
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