Friday 17 August, 2018

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. 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, 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