Heaven is Like a Treasure – July 12, 2020

[Jesus said] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Matthew 13:44

Heaven is Like a Treasure

Imagine the gas station down the street had a winning lottery ticket worth millions and millions of dollars, and you were the only person who knew about this. You would buy the whole gas station if that is what it took for you to get your hands on that lottery ticket!

In Bible times, before banks existed like they do today, wealthy people would often bury a portion of their wealth in the ground where no one else would know about this hidden treasure. If the person died, the buried treasure would remain underground and unclaimed. Can you imagine accidentally stumbling across it? You would immediately buy that field so you could get your hands on that treasure of wealth.

By his perfect life, innocent death, and triumphant resurrection, Jesus has bought for you the priceless treasure of forgiveness for all sins and a perfect, joy-filled life in heaven that will have no end. It is a treasure unlike any other. It is a treasure worth more than all the wealth in this world.

And that was the point Jesus was making with his story of the man and the field. The man sold his possessions to buy the field because the treasure in that field was worth far more than everything he owned, combined. Jesus wants us to understand that what he gives us is worth more than everything else in our lives, combined. So, it only makes sense for us to be willing to lose everything, if that is what it takes, to stay close to Jesus.

If there are times you find yourself giving something up to follow Jesus—your time, a relationship, a job—know that what you are getting in return is worth far, far more.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, how truly blessed I am to have you as my priceless treasure. Help me always to recognize that you are worth more than all the gold and glitter the world can offer. Amen.