Loving The God of Truth

Welcome to all those in the ODM who desire to know and to love the God of Truth through the faithful study of His Word. Please feel free to share your comments, insights, questions, concerns, words of encouragement, thanksgiving, praise, and prayer requests with all of us.

May God most richly bless the reading of His precious Word to our hearts this year.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
They are sweeter than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;

In keeping them there is great reward."

(Psalm 19:7-11)

Monday, April 5, 2010

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

First of all, I apologize for the late post!

44 "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.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Today's passage refers the kingdom of heave to be something of great value, like a hidden treasure or a pearl. The passage mentions that all those who found these treasure went and sold all their possessions so they could obtain these precious things because you would be a fool not to.

I sometime forget or do really see the true value and how precious the God's kingdom really is because I'm distracted by the junk of the world. After reading this passage, I realize that I, too, am a fool because I still value all my sins, aka junk, over something so good and precious as the gospel.

I remember Pastor James's sermon from yesterday. I wonder if I'm so afraid that I'll be missing out on something if I live according to God's Word. In all truth, if I keep living the way that I'm living out of fear and greed, I think I will be missing out on something truly great.

2 comments:

Eskeelo said...

Thanks for the post Michelle! I thought this passage was pretty straightforward. We clearly see the value of the kingdom of heaven through the actions of the two men. As the kingdom of heaven was being compared to a hidden treasure and a set of fine pearls, we see the great value of heaven. To think, these men in the parables were willing to give up all their possessions for their one treasure. They knew how precious and valuable it was, and had to obtain possession of it as soon as possible.

I would imagine the merchant for example, owned very nice things. It did not seem as if he showed any hesitation in selling all that he had for fine pearls. He knew that nothing he owned would bring him as much satisfaction or joy as the fine pearls, and that giving up all that he had would not have been a great loss compared to what he would gain.

I see that I must be willing to sacrifice possessions in my life in order to be apart of the kingdom of heaven. May it tangible or non-tangible possessions, I know that God's kingdom will outweigh them all.

darlayoo said...

thanks for an honest reflection, michelle. in theory at least, we can see why the first man and the merchant did what they did. we have a general, vague belief in the worth and value of God's kingdom, but that's where the men in the story depart from us and leave us far behind in the dust.

they literally acted upon their conviction by selling everything that meant anything to them in order to possess it. are we so convicted by the eternal worth and value of God's kingdom that we're willing to do the same thing?

it's my guess as well that once they sold everything, they realized to an even great degree just what they had gained. we know the worth of God's kingdom only in theory--but they know with certainty.

we know only in part--but they, having gone on to glory and seen the Lord Jesus Christ face to face, know in full.