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by Sandy Shaw
Do not be surprised by God’s working. We have been reading of that farmer working away in his field and his plough hits something and it is treasure. This man must have been so surprised. Jesus Christ is speaking about a man finding the riches of the kingdom of heaven in these two very brief but profound parables in Matthew Chapter 13 verses 44 to 46.
Imagine that scenario of a farmer ploughing his field and the fields around where Jesus was speaking and teaching were full of black basalt rock stones. This must have been the last thing on his mind, as he stumbles over something.
“Oh, no another stone!” But it was a chest of treasure.
He would have started out on just another ordinary day.
Who can tell the surprises that may await us? Timothy’s mummy and granny are telling him stories from the Old Testament and praying for him, and then he meets Jesus Christ.
Sow the seed. Place the leaven where it is needed. Who knows who may find the treasure? This wise man sold all to get the treasure.
And that merchant knew what he was after. He had a great desirability.
He knew there was something out there and he had never as yet come across it.
A sailor friend found Christ Jesus as his Saviour, and he was sitting under a gun turret one day writing home to his brother, “I know now what it really means to live.” Then he prayed, “Give me a friend with whom I can go ashore when we reach Bombay”, and he met a man who was also a Christian.
The treasure – the Passover – the Cross – the Resurrection – Pentecost – the central and focal points of our faith - sell everything for it – or them! English grammar does not always work accurately when we are speaking and preaching and writing about spiritual truth.
The treasure in the Passover – the Lamb slain – the Lamb in us – us in the blood of the Lamb – Jesus knew He was going to suffer – and suffer He did.
What was Christ’s great purpose? It was to testify to the truth.
How can Christ’s purpose become ours? We follow His example, and at times that is not at all easy. It may be simple but it is not easy.
The treasure came riding down these slopes of Olivet, went into the Temple, and taught, and challenged, and then, later that week Jesus took His men to the Upper Room, then to the Garden, and then to the Cross, but the treasure is now risen and alive.
There was the treasure riding down the slopes of Mount Olivet, and most were unaware of the riches on that untamed donkey.
This was no cowboy rodeo and there were no animal tantrums. Here we read of divine majesty and human humility riding down the Mount of Olives as the time of the cross approached and drew nearer and nearer.
There was the leaven hidden in every area of the life of the world – to those who were wealthy and to those who were penniless – to those who could walk and to those who limped through life – perhaps with leprosy or unable to see or hear – but the leaven was there – if only they would allow Him to do His work.
Some heard that this Galilean prophet, whose fame was now nationwide was approaching the city, and they lined the route to get a glimpse of Him.
At the beginning of His ministry Jesus withdrew from the plaudits and the applause, but now the humble King fulfils the inspired words of Zechariah! (Chapter 9 verse 9)
Without a word, Jesus was saying “Behold your King!”
When He came over the brow of the Mount of Olives and saw the city Jesus wept.
Those who observed and looked saw tears in His eyes, although they were unaware of the reason for those tears.
To His enemies this procession must have been intolerable – more than they could endure. This was an acted parable – a fitting prelude to the days of intense activity and emotion – as the whole city’s attention was focused on Jesus.
The treasure which can be hidden at times – the pearl of tremendous value which may involve us selling real pearls to gain that which on Jesus Christ can give. This is not something which is easily explained. It is better to experience it.
That was always the New Testament pattern too. They had the experience first and then they sought explain what had happened and to write about the spiritual reality.
If you have experienced the love of Jesus Christ, and power of the Holy Spirit, tell your story, and share your testimony.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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