the quest continues . . .   so treasure isn’t found at my garage sale — but where? where do we look?  where will we find it?  well, that’s the thing, we search in all kinds of places and in all kinds of ways.  But until we know what treasure truly is, how will we recognize it when we finally encounter it?  thing is, we attempt to define treasure for ourselves, using maybe one of three standards: what is of value to us or what is of value to others or what the current market tell us is of value.

But maybe the measure of a treasure is found in what we are willing to sacrifice for it?   consider —

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field where a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”  (Matthew 13:44-46)

So treasure, when we find it, is worth giving up all we possess, if that’s what it takes, in order to lay hold of the treasure.  Paul says in Philippians 3:7-9, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, . . . ”

There is a story told, however, in three of the gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, of a rich young ruler who did not share Paul’s perspective on the value of the treasure of knowing and belonging to Jesus Christ.  We read about him in Mark 10:17-22;  “As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’  . . . Jesus looked at him and loved him.  ‘One thing you lack,’ He said.  ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’  At this the man’s face fell.  He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

He wasn’t willing to pay the price to purchase the treasure.  We are all on a treasure hunt, whether we admit to it or not.  We are all in search of something, eternal life, like the rich young ruler, or if not, maybe just meaning and purpose in this life now.  Either way, when we find the treasure, (assuming we recognize it when we encounter it) like the man in the field or the merchant looking for pearls, a decision must be made, an action must be taken.  Both of these men acted swiftly and decisively when they encountered their treasures.

Are we willing to do the same?  What is worth the sacrifice?  What is “the pearl of great price” to you, dear reader?  “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  (John 15:13)  The world just witnessed this selfless act as a rescue diver gave his life attempting to save the lives of the thirteen trapped in the Thailand cave.  Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

The ultimate sacrifice, Jesus on the cross for me and for you, for each and everyone.  Jesus paid our price so that we could receive the treasure for free.  “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”  (Romans 8:11)  that’s the treasure in jars of clay (us), remember?  Paul considered everything else rubbish, compared to the treasure of knowing Jesus.

Jesus did not ask of the rich young ruler anything that our Heavenly Father has not already done for us.  consider this, ” . . . If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”  (Romans 8:31-32)

My treasure hunt has long since ended, the treasure that I sought, that I longed for,  I now carry within me.  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body , I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)

sincerely,     Grace Day