“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.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46
“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:16-22
Jesus’s parables often exposed the penchants and passions of the human heart. Those of the hidden treasure and the pearl speak less of the treasure found than of what the individuals are willing to sell in order to procure it. That of the rich young ruler highlights the opposite: he would rather do anything (that was easy) than surrender what he valued most. Jesus illustrates the inestimable worth of knowing Him by pointing out what man must give up in order to own and enjoy Him to the full. He is clear on the impossibility of honoring and serving both God and money or things, and contrarily, the absolute blessing of choosing Christ. (Matthew 6:24)
In our lives, it can be painfully hard to make this great exchange. We want to gather all the stuff we value, hoard it and hold it tight, and add Jesus. What we fail to realize in our loves and excesses and distractions of mind and heart is that there must be a priority kept, a first love. It is only as we give up our idols that the Lord takes His rightful reign. Seeking Him first, which means yielding all that would compete, brings the addition of so much more than we can imagine. The exchange makes possible what is unknowable apart from it. (Matthew 6:33)
What do I value most in life? Am I free enough from the pull of the world to seek out treasures of darkness, and splendid pearls? Do I pursue Jesus and the true life He gives? Do I recognize the necessity of the great exchange if I am to know the true treasure of God?
How willing am I to trade in my throne and will for the Lord’s? What keeps me from fully going after and yielding to Him? What is the Holy Spirit prompting me this day to surrender or spend to unencumber myself for Christ’s sake and riches? (Ephesians 1:3)
Father, help me always value You above all, and willingly give up anything and everything to know You better.
As the rain and snow 