HOW VALUABLE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO YOU
SCRIPTURE:
“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.” (Matthew 13:44–46)
OBSERVATION:
Jesus is speaking about the amazing of something valuable, and in this case the kingdom of heaven. In no way he is talking about buying one’s salvation by doing good or earning one’s way to heaven. Jesus usage of parables in this whole chapter is to illustrate how the kingdom of God is like. There are difficulties in one’s own effort to search for the kingdom of God.
There are distractions in coming to the kingdom. There are weeds that resembles the seeds that can be confusing because you cannot tell the difference between the weed and the seed when they grow together until their characteristics are revealed later by seeing their fruits.
Jesus also mentioned the work of his enemy, the devil who sow weed seeds among the Kingdom seeds. Even his disciples finding difficult to understand Jesus methods of explaining the kingdom. In essence people don’t naturally gravitates toward the kingdom. People hears about it, but there are other cares in the world that immediately takes over and makes it hard for them to see the kingdom of God in plain sight.
The kingdom of God is something that should be the most valuable in the life of a follower and a disciple of Jesus. Jesus speaks here about “treasure hidden” and “fine pearls of great value.” He also talk about two men who gave all they have because of the surpassing value of the hidden treasure and the fine pearls. The man who found the treasure was looking for treasures that is worth his investment or his efforts. In his search for treasure, he must have found many treasures of different values. But the hidden treasure that he found, it was such of great value that he sold all he has so he can buy not only the treasure, but the whole land that he found the treasure.
The point of Jesus talk was for the disciples to understand that the great value that would worth giving up everything for it, is the kingdom of God. And so as the fine pearls of great price, that man also sold everything in order for him to gain pearls of great price.
The question is for us as followers of Christ, how much will you give up in order for you to understand how amazing and great the kingdom of God is? Jesus words in the gospel of Matthew echo the same refrain saying; “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? He continue; Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
The question is where do we invest our time and resources? What would we give up so we may have the kingdom. The two men for their desire for the GREAT VALUE of what they found, spare no time, effort and resources and give up all they have for their valueable find. The ball is in my court and yours play. How much will we invest in terms of time, effort, and resources in order for us to see the value of God’s kingdom be seen, known and felt by others?
APPLICATION:
I still have a lot to learn on how to value the things of God and to give up all that I have so I may have the blessings of the kingdom. Today’s word tells me and reminds me how important it is for me to invest my life going after the things of God that have far surpassing value than even the things that I have today. I want to continue to go after the things of God and any cost so I may know him and value that relationship above all else.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I ask that you continue to teach me how to value the things that you are doing in my life more than when I first was found by you. My mind is often distracted to the values the world and Satan parades through my mind. Please teach me to give up anything that will prevent me from know you and for letting others knowing your kingdom. I pray all these in your mighty name. Amen!
