In His Joy

by Justin Pearson

“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

Can people tell that you value Jesus more than anything by the way that you live?

That is what this parable gets at. In one sentence Jesus says that we should value the kingdom of God, the gospel, our new life in Christ more than anything else. We should be willing to sacrifice everything else in our life in order to gain the ultimate treasure, Jesus.

Notice that in his joy the man sells everything to get the treasure. The world would look at him and think he is nuts for selling everything to buy a field. But the man knew and understood something that the world did not—within this field is a much more valuable prize. Selling everything is secondary compared to the value of what he would receive.

The same is true for our spiritual life. It is worth laying down our lives, taking up the cross, and following the narrow road in order to experience the joy of knowing Jesus, the ultimate treasure.

Remember Jesus words in another passage: For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:25).

Is that how you are living? Are you living in a way that communicates that everything else is rubbish and trash compared to knowing and following Jesus? When other people look at your life what would they say you value most?

Treasure Jesus this week.

Justin Pearson is the Director of Adult Ministries @ MBC Loudoun
*Have questions about this? Email justin.pearson@mcleanbible.org or leave a comment on the blog.
Photo by twoblueday