PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 13:44-46
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” (Matthew 14:44)
Jesus is making God’s world ‘very good’ again, and that is good news.
Our world is a dominion of darkness, and not a kingdom of light.
Watching the news can get depressing, when we hear of so much violence and misery.
Yet everything seems dark, Jesus steps out as a light of hope and love.
Someone that refuses to play the world’s game of ‘give as good as you get’.
Someone that sees people as God’s much-loved children, and loves them to death!
Someone that models compassion and mercy, and invites us to join him in it.
This kind of a gracious love is a treasure, or a pearl of great value.
Yet it remains buried, hidden by the overwhelming dirt of self interest.
Jesus is looking for treasure hunters, those who will dig out the goodness.
Those who will join him in caring, serving, sharing, forgiving, helping, healing.
What would the news be like if more people joined in on this activity?
The treasure is there, waiting to be revealed – will you dig for it?
The pearl is there, waiting to be surfaced – will you dive for it?
PRAYER
Lord, our world needs more of this treasure. Help me to do what I can to find and to share this treasure with others.
Value – of great value! Do I value the Kingdom of heaven more than anything else. Is there another ‘idol’ or other thing or whatever that I value more? What do my actions say? What are my priorties? Are they kingdom framed – heavenly minded? More and more so I pray each day as I grow in the knowledge of living for Jesus, with Jesus, like Jesus. Jesus points me to what really is valuable – what really is lasting- what goes beyond time and space – to live connected with Jesus – a lifeline for now and for eternity that goes beyond us – the grave – the continued slave of time. Lord you’ve entrusted me with much but help me not to let the ‘much’ get in the way but instead be used as tools for your kingdom extension!
I would be joyful if I gained something worth more than all my possessions. This is God’s love for us. Nothing can compare to the riches I have in Him.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.