The Hidden Treasure Revealed!

 "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." (Matthew 13:44)

Treasure: Everyone seeks treasure of some sort. When we were kids, it was pirate treasure. Today, geocaching or GPS treasure hunts are available for all ages. The Kingdom of Heaven holds the greatest treasure of all: our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you see Christ as a treasure? Once we have completed the deliberate act of becoming a Christian, it starts as the twinkling of a blinding light. We start walking with Christ. As we walk, we grow in sanctification, and the things far ahead of us become more apparent—the truth in scripture, God's wrath, and the Trinity's love. We continue moving forward, drawn deeper by the things we see ahead of us. As we get closer to the light, we feel warmer, happier, and contented. We cannot turn back as we are compelled to move forward, growing in love and devotion to our Savior.

As we move forward, we release the things of the world. Our preoccupation with "things" and "toys" goes away. The child-like new Christian slowly matures. Our desire to be closer to the Lord grows, and like the man in the parable of Christ, we get rid of those things that keep us from that treasure. We keep moving forward until we reach the light that has continued to grow until it is all we can see. We stop and notice it comes from a mirror; in that mirror, the light comes from Christ, who stands next to us. We also see the light coming from ourselves as we prepare to kneel in heaven before God. So is the walk of a Christian.

C.S. Lewis wrote, "I remind myself that all these toys were never intended to possess my heart, that my true good is in another world, and my only real treasure is Christ." Christ was Lewis's only treasure in life. Jonathan Edwards believed the treasure of heaven was an increased ability to enjoy God. Edwards wrote, "Every vessel that is cast into this ocean of happiness is full, though there are some vessels far larger than others; and there shall be no such thing as envy in heaven, but perfect love shall reign throughout the whole society." Edwards found total satisfaction in Christ. John Owen wrote, "Indeed, it is by beholding the glory of Christ that believers are first gradually transformed into His image and then brought into the eternal enjoyment of it because they shall be forever 'like him; for we shall see him as he is' (1Jo 3:2; 2Co 3:18)." ― John Owen, The Glory of Christ.

John Piper coined the phrase Christian Hedonism. Usually, hedonism has a negative connotation, but not in this case. Piper, as do I, believes that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied with God. When Christ is our treasure, when we need nothing more than God, whom we know will provide all we need, God is naturally glorified through our satisfaction and contentment in Him; He is everything.

Is Jesus your treasure? Is He the center of your life? Is He the most important person in your life? If you have discovered Christ, get rid of everything that separates you from God, buy the field, and enjoy the treasure that is Christ Jesus.

Peace and Grace!