THEME: Kingdom of Heaven
The treasure that we seek is found in the Son of God.
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding aone pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
LESSON
Having recognized the value of their discovery and having sold everything in their desire to have it, the man who discovered the treasure and the merchant who discovered the pearl then made their purchase. They acquired that on which their desires had been set.
That purchase speaks of individual appropriation. It tells us that salvation does not consist merely in seeing the value of Christ’s work and wanting it for oneself. It stresses that Christ must actually become ours by faith, which is the means of appropriation. Faith has three elements. There is an intellectual element, in which we recognize the truths of the gospel. There is an emotional (heart) element, in which we find ourselves being drawn to what we recognize. There is also a volitional element, in which we actually make a commitment to him whom the gospel reveals. That means that salvation is an individual matter. People are not saved by Jesus in groups. They are saved one by one as by the grace of God they recognize their need and come to Jesus in the simple faith that he is who he claimed to be (the Son of God) and that he did what he claimed he would do (provide for our salvation through his death on our behalf). The man in the field did not allow someone else to buy the treasure in hopes that he might share in it. The merchant did not form a cooperative to acquire the pearl of great price. Each made the purchase individually.
You must not think, if you are teetering on the brink, that having renounced everything else for Jesus you will one day find yourself disappointed at what will have proved to be a bad bargain. You will not find yourself coming back with your treasure or pearl, hoping to get your property back. It is never that way. In the exchange described by these parables the men who made the purchase received a bargain. They made the deal of their lives, their fortune. From now on they will be the happiest of men.
So it will be for you. You are not called to poverty in Christ but to the greatest of spiritual wealth. You are not called to disappointment but to fulfillment. You are not called to sorrow but to joy. How could it be otherwise when the treasure is the only Son of God? How can the outcome be bad when it means salvation?
STUDY QUESTIONS
What do the actions of the men tell us about salvation?
Identify the three elements of faith.
Why is it said we have received a bargain when we become Christians?
REFLECTION
Reflecting on your own faith. Is there an area in which you are lacking?
KEY POINT
You are not called to poverty in Christ but to the greatest of spiritual wealth. You are not called to disappointment but to fulfillment. Thank God for the opportunity he has given you to make the “deal” of your life and for the riches he has given you.
