Journey 2020: Vision For Christ – The Price
Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “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, NIV)
Parable of the Pearl
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46, NIV)
There is nothing to which the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared. Our imaginations cannot comprehend the majesty, the glory, the magnificence of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is greater than the biggest hidden treasure. It is greater than the world’s finest pearl. If we could see it, if we could understand it, we would be willing to sacrifice everything we had to obtain it.
In our first parable, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the man discovered a treasure, but since it was not on his land, he could not claim it. Only by purchasing the land, could he then claim the treasure. The treasure was more than worth the price of land and the man was happy to sell all of his earthly treasures in order to possess the land containing a greater treasure.
The second parable, the Parable of the Pearl, is very similar to the first, except this time, the treasure is specified as pearl of great value. Again, the treasure, the pearl, was worth the merchant selling all he owned in order to possess it.
We cannot buy our way into the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no earthly treasure that compares, no earthly treasure that would grant us entrance. Instead, we are called to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, accept that He died for our sins after leading a perfect life, and then rose again on the third day. It is only through Jesus that we are granted entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior means understanding the love He has for all of mankind. When we understand that love, we cannot help but love Him back and seek to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
To the outside world, it may seem that we are making great sacrifices, perhaps even making unnecessary sacrifices. But just as the man joyful sold his possessions to obtain the field with the treasure, we should joyfully be willing, even want, to change our lives for Christ, to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven, our great treasure.
Before we can obtain the Kingdom of Heaven, we must first recognize its value – priceless. Take some time this month and contemplate on the Kingdom of Heaven. Why is it valuable? Do you understand its importance, and the importance of these parables?
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