I read about a church that decided to raise some funds by holding an auction. They got everyone to collect their junk and bring it to the church building. They hired an auctioneer, sold everything, and raised quite a bit of money. One couple, Joe and Mildred, had some old lawn furniture sitting on the porch for years. Mildred loaded it up and took it down to the auction. On the day of the sale, Joe went down to browse around and guess what he discovered! Yes! A great set of old lawn furniture! He bought it and brought it home. Mildred will have to wait another year to get rid of Joe’s treasure!
On The Holy Lens this week we have been praying through some of the short parables of Jesus. Some of them relate to the value of the kingdom. One of those verses we used in our prayer was about a man who found a great treasure! To be a part of the Kingdom is to belong to Jesus Christ. When we make Jesus our King, we submit to his teachings, principles, practices, and path. Here Jesus references the “Kingdom of Heaven,” which, as I understand it, is a synonym for the reign of the King in this world and the next.
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. - Matthew 13:44
Today, this scenario seems unlikely. In ancient times, however, there were few places of safety where money could be deposited. Often the best place to put a treasure was to bury it in the ground. It’s a good idea to remember where the treasure is, of course. Someone had buried a treasure, and for one reason or another had not returned to reclaim it. The man who discovered sold all he had and bought the field. The kingdom of heaven is so valuable, that there is no cost too high and no sacrifice too great to attain it.
THE TREASURE
It is the most wonderful of all treasures because, in the Kingdom, Jesus Christ satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts. Clovis Chappell wrote, “Christ is not a mere luxury; he is a necessity.” Think about the images presented in Scripture of the place of Jesus in our lives. He is the light of the world, the bread of life, the water of life. He is our hope for a life that lasts beyond the temporary nature of this world. Jesus taught us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). In the estimation of Jesus, the Kingdom is of primary value.
THE SACRIFICE
Worthwhile things are not obtained for pennies. The man in the parable sold all he owned to acquire the treasure. It is possible that to be a part of the Kingdom of God, it will cost us money (Matthew 19:21), family (Luke 14:26), and even friends. nothing should prevent us from following after Jesus in the Kingdom. Ultimately the sacrifice we must make is to deny ourselves and allow Jesus to be in control of our lives.
…If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24
In Galatians 2:20, Paul even said it was Christ who lived in him. He was not self-directed but Christ-directed. The Kingdom is valuable and we will sacrifice the things of earth that interfere with our longing to belong to Him.
THE JOY
The man sold all of his possessions in joy - not in frustration, or any other kind of unhappiness. This, to me, is the key to the parable. The man has no regrets about what he let go of to obtain the kingdom. The pain of parting with his goods is lost in the joy of the treasure. When we are genuinely committed to Christ, we do not grudgingly give up the past! We happily follow His way, knowing that the joy that comes from the Lord is the greatest we can experience.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ… - Philippians 3:7-8
Joy characterizes life in the Kingdom because it is life with the King! Paul said in Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Joy in the Holy Spirit, amen!
I think maybe some of us are unhappy in our relationship with the King because we’ve been bringing back the old lawn furniture that had been tossed out! What are we hanging on to that is making us so happy that the Kingdom seems to be nothing to us? I know many lack interest in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes we guard carefully that which we possess but regard the Kingdom with a careless attitude.
When I think about the treasure of the Kingdom, I realize that it is within the reach of every single one of us! This is not true of the treasures of the world! The treasure of the Kingdom is yours for the taking.
Hope this post has been an encouragement to you in the middle of this week! Hit that heart if you will, and share it with a friend!
Thanks John, your encouragement is always appreciated.
Have a BLESSED DAY!