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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. Do we not discover that so very few people have their heart and thereby their treasure in the kingdom of God and in the work and service of the kingdom of God? We are reading in Matthew Chapter 13 verses 44 to 46.
Where your treasure is there you will find your heart! Jesus had been teaching this and now He is painting the picture of what is important to us – and what we value – and what we are committed to – and He does it in a very simple but challenging way.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is teaching us that the Kingdom is of great value, and there is nothing of greater value than the Kingdom of God. We need to take time now and again to remind ourselves of who Jesus Christ is.
This kingdom is His Kingship. We have seen that. It is not a territory with borders. The kingdom of God is far wider and deeper and more significant than mere territorial.
It is Christ the King who is King in our lives and of our lives.
That is what Jesus Christ means by the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is speaking about the individual disciple here, as he tells of a farmer, and a merchant.
Jesus is not addressing a whole nation, or even pressing home a point to a congregation or group of people.
Jesus is addressing a farmer and a merchant. Jesus is being quite personal.
Jesus speaks about the finding, and a right recognition of the value, and a willing joyful surrender to obtain what is found, and Jesus teaches these profound lessons with such amazing simplicity.
A man finds treasure. It is unlooked for and appears to be quite a surprise.
People do not realise that they are hungry, poor, mourning, and in some sort of need of Jesus, and suddenly something dawns upon a person.
Some people discover that what they really need in life can only be found in Jesus Christ, and one day they come across Him. Some never do!
The merchant knew there was special pearl somewhere, and he does something about it – travelling – looking hard – appraising – then discovering.
People are looking for forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, and acceptance, and one day they come across Jesus.
They search for that precious pearl and these travelling days are done. They have found what they were looking for.
Jesus knew there were those who would look at Jesus, and walk away as if He were just another man. There may even have been people listening to him that day who were later involved in crucifying Him.
Some saw that He was King of the Kingdom. Some looked and realised that He was a King to be followed.
Paul saw this and writes about it in Ephesians and Colossians, describing Jesus Christ as of surpassing value.
He can bring such riches – mercy – love – peace – forgiveness of sin – giving a man a new start.
Here is someone who can give us what we need to live the kind of life we want to lead.
How highly do you value and appreciate the Kingdom of God, and how committed are you to the King of this Kingdom?
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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