Highlighted New Testament Bible

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Friday, July 15, 2011

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 44, The Kingdom of Heaven: Like a Hidden Treasure.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the treasure).   

Christ continues to create a picture of the kingdom of heaven.  He continues to paint a portrait of the similarities of the kingdom of heaven to those things that people know.  Those who seek will find.  Those who knock will have doors opened to them.  Those who ask will receive.  Christ wants to help the people and his disciples see.  He wants to help them understand.  He wants to help them to know the truth of the kingdom of heaven.  Some will understand.  Some will perceive.  Some will come to know.  Others will hear and not understand.  Others will seek and not find.  Others will not perceive the truth of the message.  The evil one has stolen their hearing.  The evil one has blinded their eyes.  The evil one has taken away their understanding that they may not perceive the truth of the kingdom that they may be healed and come to Christ.

For this reason Christ speaks to the people in parables.  For this reason he tells stories.  For this reason he entertains to some and gives knowledge, hidden since the foundation of the world, to others.  For to those who have more will be given.  And to those who do not have, even that which they do have will be taken away.   Christ tells his disciples,  "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it hides it, and in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

The hidden treasure of the kingdom is waiting to be found, according to Christ.  It is hidden in a field.  Christ said that the field is the world.  He said that the good seed was planted in the world and that the good seed was the sons of the kingdom.  Is he speaking of worldly treasures?  Is Christ talking about gold and gems and diamonds and such, hidden in the ground waiting to be discovered?  Those who find such treasures will sell everything they own to have that field, that piece of land that has the gold, that has the diamonds, that has the precious gems.  They would even sell their own souls to own such wealth.   Some would lie to own it.  Some would kill to own it.  Some would do any and everything to own the treasures of the earth.  Is this the treasure that Christ speaks of in this parable?

Christ has given us this parable that we may know.  He has given us this parable that we may perceive the difference in the world and the kingdom of heaven.  For to those who have more will be revealed.  The kingdom of heaven is like a man who finds a treasure hidden in a field.  What do you treasure?  Men treasure many things, many worldly things.  The sons of the kingdom treasure the true gifts of the kingdom.  Seek and you shall find.  Knock and it shall be opened to you.  Ask and you shall receive.  Have you found your treasure? 

What do you value in the kingdom of heaven?  Is it gold?  Is it diamonds?  Is it jewels?  Or do you treasure things other than worldly gems?  Do you treasure peace?  Do you treasure joy?  Do you treasure love?  Do you treasure happiness?  These are the gifts, the treasures of the kingdom.  They are only available temporarily in the world.  But in the kingdom they are eternally yours.  What do you treasure?  Have you found your treasure?  If you find your treasure will you sell all to own it, now?  Will you give up all to keep it, now?  Your treasure is waiting for you.  Seek and you shall find!  Knock and it shall be opened!  Ask and it shall be given to you!  Be careful what you ask!  Be careful where you seek!  Be careful where you knock that you would have opened!  What do you treasure?