Many people like to collect things as a pastime, such as stamps, coins, figurines, etc. The more serious collectors can spend much time and money investing in their collection, sometimes many multiple thousands of dollars. How much money would you be willing to spend to obtain something that you wanted? The more important it is for you to have, the more you are willing to spend. How much would you be willing to give up to get that valuable item?
In our Gospel reading today, Jesus tells some parables comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to something of great value, and how important it is to obtain it. The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything. What are we willing to give up to have it?
In the first example, there is a man who found a treasure in a field (vs. 44). This man who found the treasure in that field found it by accident. He wasn’t searching for any treasure, but just came upon it. There are some who aren’t specifically searching for God, but through circumstances in their lives, the people they meet, and often the prayers of others, end up finding the Lord, and accept Him as Savior.
The second example that Jesus gave was of a merchant who was looking for valuable pearls (vs. 45-46). He then comes across one that was extremely valuable. There are people who are searching for God and the truth, just like that merchant was looking for pearls. Through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, they come to see and accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior, just like the man found the valuable pearl.
In both of these parables the people realize that the treasure or pearl they found was immensely valuable. They realized it was so valuable that they were willing to part with anything in order to obtain it. In like manner, our salvation is invaluable, worth more than anything in our life. Sometimes people pass on accepting Jesus as Savior because they feel that becoming a Christian will hamper their life. They feel they will have to give up pleasures that they don’t wish to part with, that their life will change too much, and they aren’t willing to part with the things of this world. Both the man in the field and the merchant realized how valuable their treasures were, and they were willing to part with whatever was necessary in order to obtain it. The wise man will realize that salvation in the Lord Jesus is worth more than anything this world has to offer.
Salvation in Jesus is free. We don’t have to work for it or pay for it. It was paid for by the Blood of Jesus. But once we’ve accepted Christ, He calls us to renounce the world and its ways, and follow Him. There are some people who are not willing to pay that price. They would be like a merchant looking for pearls, but when they find a valuable one, shake their head and say they won’t pay that price. Or if they find a treasure in a field, are not willing to pay the price to buy the field and obtain that treasure. In the end they lose out.
In our passage there are a couple of other parables that Jesus told, as well. Jesus told the parable of the dragnet in vs. 47 - 50. This one is similar to the parable we had a week ago about the wheat and the tares. The fishermen cast the net into the water, and then drag it ashore. Sitting on the beach, they then sort through what has been caught. All the good fish are taken, but the junk is thrown out. At the last days, the saved, those who have accepted Jesus as Savior, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the lost, those who have not accepted Him, will be cast into hell.
In the earlier verses of our passage, the parables that Jesus told show how the Kingdom of Heaven grows. A mustard seed is quite small, yet the plant can grow large. Likewise, when baking, one puts a small amount of yeast into the dough, and it leavens the whole loaf. The Christian Church started out small, but throughout the ages it has grown large with many believers.
In each of these parables that we have been studying, Jesus stressed the importance of making sure one is a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the need to get that message out to others. It is a treasure we do not want to miss!
Jesus is the Center of it all!
ReplyDeleteMarsha of Bangs TX