Worth It All
Monday Morning with Michelle
“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.”
-Matthew 13:44-46
Is there anything you would sell all you have to obtain? Think about it. You would be giving up your home, your car, your clothes, the silver flatware you inherited from your grandma, your cell phone. . . all to gain just one thing. What would be important enough to give up all that? I cannot think of anything in this world I would give up all of that for besides perhaps to secure lifesaving medical treatment for a family member.
But this parable is not about worldly goods. No field or treasure chest is worth giving up everything I have. Last year my husband and I purchased a field and spent a pretty penny for it. But we certainly did not sell everything (or even close to it) we had for it (not do we think there is buried treasure on the land). And while we are excited about the plans we are making to build our future home on the land, we know that land and houses cannot fulfill us or offer earthly or eternal security.
So what could be worth it all?
The kingdom of heaven.
But what exactly does that mean? I used to read this parable and think it just meant salvation from eternal condemnation in hell. That seems worth giving up everything for, right? If you look further into the meaning of the kingdom of heaven, however, it is more than buying eternal fire insurance. The true treasure worth selling all for is a right relationship with God, offered through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Through faith in Jesus Christ we are invited to be heirs in God’s kingdom—co-heirs with Christ. And that offering does not have to wait until we get to heaven.
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Colossians 1:13-14
Did you catch that? We have been brought into the kingdom of light. The kingdom of Jesus. The kingdom of redemption and forgiveness and restored fellowship with our creator God! And that, my friend, is a treasure that is worth it all.
‘“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.”’ - Mark 10:29-30
Heavenly Father, please help me to better understand Your kingdom and it’s implications for my life. Thank you for the gift of a relationship with You today and for eternity. May I not take this for granted. Amen.