The Israelites had a history of being conquered and plundered by neighbouring countries. Whenever war broke out and the enemy advanced, farmers would hide their valuables in a field in case their house was raided. Often, sadly, the family was swept away by the invaders and their treasure remained hidden until someone might discover it years later – usually while ploughing the field.

 

Jesus used that scenario as the backdrop for the first of these two short parables about the kingdom of heaven. And when the man found the treasure, Jesus said, “He hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought the field.” The second parable follows a similar pattern: someone finds something valuable and sells everything they have to buy it.

 

What, then, is the value of the kingdom of heaven? To the one who finds it, says Jesus, it is worth more than everything he or she has.

 

Now consider this: The kingdom of heaven’s value is your life, paid for by the life of Jesus. In his joy, upon finding the lost treasure that is you, Jesus went and sold all he had so that he could have you!

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you treasure me so much that you gave your life for mine. In your name, Amen.