Matthew 13:44-46
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.
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.
What would be so valuable, so exciting, that I would sell all I have to buy it? Can you think of any possession that fits the bill? What do you dream about owning? A really, really nice car? A beautiful vacation home on the beach or in the mountains? A gorgeous piece of jewelry?
What are you looking for that you would go to such lengths to obtain it? That you would sell all you have? Everything?
Would you choose something more noble? A cure for cancer? World peace?
These short parables focus on a treasure hidden in a field, and a fine pearl. The men who found both the treasure and the pearl did not hesitate: they sold all they had to get the treasure or the pearl.
And Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like this. It is so precious, so valuable, that when we have the chance to possess it, we will be beside ourselves with joy. We will stop at nothing to become part of the kingdom of heaven.
Oh, Lord, give me that kind of heart - the heart that longs for you more than a lovely home, or a new car, or yes, even more than world peace. I long to have the heart of the psalmist as he says in Psalm 42:1:
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
The kingdom of heaven is ours for the asking. Jesus is waiting for us - he welcomes us to his kingdom, and what glory will be ours, now and forever, when we seek first his kingdom!
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