Parables of Christ - Part 14

The Hidden Treasure

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241016 - The Hidden Treasure - Parables Of Christ - Part 14

Matthew 13:44-46 KJV

[44] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. [45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: [46] who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Note for 20241016

How often do we consider what we gave away to follow Christ? Those that have lost a lot, like family and friends, maybe even a good income, knows about the question I ask. Today, it is hard for me to consider what I have "lost," because of what I have gained in Christ Jesus; but, I can surely understand how hard it has been to swim upstream. And then, to do so while we stand for peace, in love and compassion, without any form of arrogance or entitlement. What did you have to give up to stand in the way of Christ? Is it really a loss?

Luke 14:26-28 KJV

[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. [27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Failing to pay the full price, man lands up going into a compromise for that which he cannot part with. Think of the rich man that came to Christ and ask Him what he had to do to enter the Kingdom of GOD. (Matthew 19:16-30 KJV) What is it that the man could not give up to follow Christ? Dare I ask, what is standing in your way? Let's look at one verse from this account of Christ with the rich man and His clarification of it to His disciples.

Matthew 19:29 KJV

[29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Have you then lost anything at all? What you give up here for Christ will see a hundredfold return. I say this based on the parables we are considering this morning. Not all things of value can be placed down on a coffee table to be adored, or parked in a garage, or have a number on a street in a good neighborhood. The value of some things can only be experienced when you have part in it, and so it is with the Kingdom of GOD too.

Luke 17:21 KJV

[21] Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

With that brought into perspective, if the Kingdom of GOD is a treasure for you, as it is for me; what must then be parted with in ourselves? Can you serve two masters, according to the Words of Jesus Christ? Remember what he said to the rich man.

There are many that think they can approach their faith in Christ in the way we purchase goods in this life. They think they can negotiate a payment plan. Remember, our faith is compared to a marriage, we must forsake all others. You cannot believe in Christ and work for Satan, that is as good as treason. You must depart from the "old man" to be reborn and become a new man in Christ Jesus. That is selling everything you have to buy that which have greater value, as is mentioned in the parables we read today. There is no place for greed and vanity with the Lord. No! It is the meek that will inherit the earth, have you not read? (Matthew 5:5 KJV) The wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22 KJV)

For quite some time, almost two weeks now, we have been reading the parables of Christ. How often is it the Kingdom of GOD that Christ is describing to His disciples? The treasure to find in the earth, is the Kingdom of GOD that is hidden in us. But, to have a part in it, we must forsake what we so deeply love in this world, that stands in the way of us placing our Father in Heaven first. What must you do with your right arm if it makes you stumble, or what of your eye? We leave the way of the world behind to follow in the way of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Can you see that it is an active participation? Even a change in direction? If we are not fully invested in the way of Christ, we are in some way still holding on to the things that give us a false hope in this world. We are in this world, but not of it. If we buy property, it must be in God's Kingdom.