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Matthew 13:44
In Matthew 13:37-43 Jesus has given us the reality of heaven and hell; the reality of a spiritual eternity that has different pathways for the righteous and the wicked. He speaks of a place where there will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth.” But as this is a reality for our eternal life or death, Jesus moves directly to teaching us about the joy of finding the hidden treasure of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus declares in Matthew 13:44 (NKJV), “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
This parable, however, is not intended to teach us to hide the joy of the kingdom of heaven but is to show us of how important it should be to us; that the joy that the kingdom of heaven brings to our lives should be so important to us that we would be willing to discard all earthly things in our lives and focus on the treasures of the kingdom of heaven.
This is a promise of the joy in finding the treasures of heaven.
We have had many lessons in this Bible study of how Jesus came to change and purify our hearts, so we might ask then, “What does this lesson that Jesus teaches in Matthew 13:44 have to do with having a pure heart as it almost seems to promote greed and selfishness?” The answer is found in Matthew 6:19-21 as Jesus teaches us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our passions, our desires, and our most treasured things should be in heaven. This is not greed or selfishness because it is not seeking selfish things, it is seeking God’s will for us – that our focus would be on Him and His kingdom of heaven which blossoms joy and love for all who find this hidden treasure that can only be found by using the tools of sincerity, humility, and obedience to our Father in heaven and seeking His will for our lives.
Dear LORD,
There is great joy in finding the treasures of Your kingdom of heaven. Thank You for the gifts that You give us and the great joy found in the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.