TREASURE IN THE FIELD
TEXT:
"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." (Matthew chapter 13 verse 44, King James Version)
The Kingdom of heaven is indeed like a treasure hidden in a field. Amazingly, its worth is hidden from the world, and surprisingly from the most educated and affluent of the world.
Christ is the hidden Treasure! His worth is of inestimable value. The Bible says that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell (Colossians chapter 2 verse 3 and Colossians chapter 1 verse 19). Hear Apostle Paul's testimony of the worth of his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ in Philippians chapter 3 from verse 7 to verse 10. He says:
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, ... That I may know him, ..." Paul regarded the things he had lost to gain Christ as worthless because they were useless as a means for him to obtain salvation and righteousness. Any wonder that he was greatly used by God? Doesn't the value of the sacrifice on the altar have a corresponding bearing on the amount of fire that descends to consume it?
Yes, from the beginning of time, it's been told times without number how men who have come across this Treasure (Christ) made it their earnest duty to sacrifice their all, part with all they had in order to secure Him in their lives. My prayer for anyone reading this devotional this morning who hasn't laid down his life and his all for God's Christ is for God to open his eyes to behold the worth of Christ, God's Living Word (see Psalms chapter 19 verse 10; Proverbs chapter 3 verses 13 to 15)
The Gospel is the field in which Christ, the inestimable Treasure is hidden. The Gospel reveals Jesus. In John chapter 5 verse 39, Jesus commanded saying,
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." The reason why people place light value on the Scriptures is because they look only at the surface of the field. Experience has shown that men dig deep into the soil to find minerals of value. The same goes for the Bible. In order to find out its inestimable Treasure, you need to devote your life, time and attention to it.
But till date, we have those who are lost and who do not believe the Gospel. The Bible says in 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verse 3 that "if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (emphasis mine). Don't be deceived, through the Gospel the path of salvation is laid bare to them that will.
I call on you this morning to be wise. Soon, the day of reckoning comes. What will you tell God as you meet with Him? What is it that's standing between you and Christ? What shall it profit you to gain the world to suffer the loss of your soul? Once you close your eyes in death, the opportunity to be saved is forever lost. You will be wise today as you receive Jesus into your life, without delay.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for opening my eyes of understanding through the Gospel to know Jesus. I confess You, dear Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life and live through me, amen.