Matthew 13:44-46
"The kingdom of
heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up;
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, who, on
finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
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What do you most
treasure and how do you keep it secure? In a peasant community the best safe
was often the earth. The man in the parable "went in his joy" to sell
everything. Why? Because he found a treasure worth possessing above everything
else he had. He did not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately,
he only needed enough money to buy the field. In a similar fashion, God offers
his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We can't pay the
full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for
the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare. The pearl of
great price also tells us a similar lesson. Pearls in the ancient world came to
represent the supremely valuable. Jesus remarked that one should not cast
pearls before swine. Why would a merchant sell everything for a peerless pearl?
No doubt because he was attracted to what he thought was the greatest treasure
he could possess.
Discovering God's
kingdom is like stumbling across hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of
great price. When we discover the kingdom of God we receive the greatest
possible treasure – the Lord himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this
incomparable treasure could mean many things – our friends, job, our
"style of life", what we do with our free time. Treasure has a
special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of
will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. In
this parable what does the treasure of the kingdom refer to? It certainly
refers to the kingdom of God in all its aspects. But in a special way, the Lord
himself is the treasure we seek. If the Almighty is your gold and your
precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty. Is
the Lord the treasure and delight of your heart?
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"Lord Jesus,
reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom. Help me to set my heart on you
alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free my heart of any
inordinate desires or attachment to other things that I may freely give to you
all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me. May I
always find joy and delight in your presence."
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