Treasure: August 25, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2014

TREASURE

DEFINITION:

An accumulation of money or jewels; anything greatly valued or highly priced.

SCRIPTURE:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field. Matthew 13:44.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples who were alone with Him. The crowds had dispersed and Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the kingdom of heaven and its great value to them. It is more valuable than anything else. In Jesus’ day it was common practice for people to hide their treasures and valuables by burying them in the ground to keep them from being stolen. Everyone understood clearly when Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in the ground.

In this parable Jesus referred to a man who found a treasure in the field. The field represents the Word of God and the treasure would be Christ who is “hidden” in the gospel message of God’s Word. A person cannot find the treasure, Christ, by just scratching the surface of the gospel but must dig and dig deep into Gods Word. The treasure of the Kingdom of heaven is hidden to the unbelievers because of the hardness of their hearts and their blindness spiritually. We as believers today must understand this and apply the lesson of this parable when we are telling others how to find Jesus.

In this parable it says when the man found the treasure, so great was his joy that he sold everything that he had in order to buy the field so that he could possess the treasure. The value of the Kingdom exceeds the value of all earthly treasures and those who find it must be willing to give up all they have to obtain it.

When any of us experience the joy of finding Christ, we do five things. First, we seek to protect it by hiding it deep in our heart where it cannot be taken away.

Secondly, we experience the great joy of knowing we have obtained the Kingdom of heaven by receiving Christ’s mercy.

Thirdly, we sell all that we have, that is we repent and get rid of the sinful ways of our former life.

Fourthly, we buy, that is we commit all that we have to possess all the riches of salvation we obtain through our Lord and Savior.

And finally, we rejoice in the completeness and satisfaction in the treasure we have found in Christ, who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and who reigns in the Kingdom of heaven and is preparing a place for us there for all eternity.

We as believers then experience an abundant life in Christ, a completed life in Christ, and have available to us the fruits of the spirit which includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Have you found the treasure (Christ) hidden in the field (Gospel)?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:22.

But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

PRAYER:

I rejoice today for each one in my family who found You as Lord and Savior. Thank You for the clearness of the gospel message and the wonder of Your coming to this earth to pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to share with others the treasure of the Kingdom of heaven that they can find in the Gospel which will change their lives.