March 14, 2012

“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

Have you ever found a $10 bill or a $20 lying on the ground or in the grass. Maybe it was a breezy and it had blown out of someone's hand and you happened upon it. How does that feel?

That might give you an idea of the excitement this man felt in Jesus' parable when he happened to stumble on this treasure.

In those days there weren't banks or credit unions readily available like we have today and safes had not yet been invented. So, if you had a large amount of money or jewels or other valuables you had to find a safe place to hide your valuables. Sometimes that meant digging a hole somewhere on your property and burying them in the ground. Apparently that happened here and the person who buried the treasure probably died without telling anyone where he hid the valuables. So, whoever bought the land from Him or his heirs was not told about the buried treasure and this man was lucky enough to discover it. Realizing His good fortune he hurried home to have a huge garage sale to raise the money to buy the land and take legal possession of the treasure, too.

What a lucky day!

It is an equally lucky day for you or me when we discover the kingdom of heaven!

In my last post I described why the kingdom of heaven is such a valuable treasure. Today I want to give you another perspective on the treasure that is worth giving all to possess.

How is it that God can demand that we sell out in order to possess His kingdom?

Because He loves us and He wants the best for us and He knows what is best for us is HIM!

But even better, He loves us and regards US as a pearl of great price! How much was He willing to pay to purchase you and me? HE WAS WILLING TO OFFER HIS SON on a cross to pay the price for our sins and redeem us to Himself!

Wow!

The kingdom of heaven is such a valuable possession because it is a place filled with crazy love! Love designed it! Love purchased it! Love permeates it! Love makes it available to those who will receive His love!

Do you belong to the kingdom of heaven?

How do I know for sure, Brad?

Have you sold all to follow Him?

Have you made given Him first place in your life?

Have you received His love? Are you living in His love? Do you love what He loves?

Have you noticed powerful and positive changes in you attitudes and your behavior?

Those are characteristics of sold out kingdom people!

So, are you a "sold out" or a "hold out"?