Sunday 3 August, 2014

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who was looking for fine pearls. 46 He found one that was very valuable. So he went away and sold everything he had. And he bought that pearl. 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net. It was let down into the lake. It caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and gathered the good fish into baskets. But they threw the bad fish away. 49 This is how it will be on judgment day. The angels will come. They will separate the people who did what is wrong from those who did what is right. 50 They will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace. There the evil ones will sob and grind their teeth. 51 “Do you understand all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Every teacher of the law who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He brings new treasures out of his storeroom as well as old ones.” 53 Jesus finished telling these stories. Then he moved on from there.

The first two verses of this passage tell us of the enthusiasm God sees us having when we discover Him and what He has done for us. In both stories the person gave up EVERYTHING they had to obtain the treasure. Is that how I react? Is that how I continue to react when I have been a Christian for some time.

These verses paint a picture of God’s Kingdom that is a great challenge to me in this time. It is easy to be distracted, to have God as an important part of our lives but not the MOST important part. There are so many things going on in our lives. God would like us to take a different view.

Lord thank you for the richness of this picture. Help me to see the story you have painted and how it applies to my life. Thank you that Your Kingdom is a treasure worth seeking with all my heart. Teach me how to do that.

Written by Therese Manning