City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Luke 13:44-46

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21

Reflection

I apologize for putting such a hopeful and joyous verse next to a verse illustrating the ugliness of the world, but I wanted to start off with a contrast.  Jesus offers true wealth, and this is really what He is asking us to give up in return.

As it turns out, Luke 13:44 is the verse we picked for our wedding.  The treasure in the field is one of my favorite parables.  I think it’s one of the most accessible teachings, and it makes it easy to see the principles of the parable.  For example, I think most people understand this parable as a challenge to people seeking God’s kingdom.  To enter you must sell all that you have to acquire it.  Much like a pack camel entering the small gate of a walled city, all that burdens must be stripped away.  And this is a very good understanding.  But I would also point out that Jesus demonstrated this approach of buy the field to get the treasure when he left His holy realm, suffered, and died for each of us.  He would die for the whole world to save you, because He saw you to be a treasure.

I was a guy who met a girl. I placed a Garmin GPS receiver around her neck and said, “I don’t want to lose you.” Back in 2002, those receivers were pretty expensive, and for a nerd like me, that was a treasured piece of hardware. But I knew I wasn’t looking for a sweeter deal.  This was it.  Through God’s faithfulness, I got the girl, the receiver, and three kids.  When one gets married, it is very much like buying an entire field to get a single treasure.  But one must remember that it is indeed a treasure that you are getting, lest the weeds of distraction succeed in stealing one’s joy.

Choosing for God’s kingdom is not an easy decision because it take boldness, courage, and a willingness to let go of what you know.  Many worry that the future could be filled with poverty or persecution.  Perhaps, but again, I would remind you that you are giving up what you know for a treasure that is promised by God Himself.  The man with the treasure purchases the field out of joy.  The pearl merchant acquires this pearl out of his knowledge and expertise.  Neither of them act out of blindness or manipulation, but rather out of sound judgement.  Both purchase something that will sustain them for the rest of their lives.

Application

When Jesus challenges you to let go to receive His kingdom, He does not expect you to give up everything for nothing.  The treasure of Jesus is a real treasure.  The pearl of God’s kingdom is real and life sustaining.  Besides, if you think about it, we aren’t even giving up much in the exchange.  We hand over to God angers, jealousies, and the like so that we can receiver heavenly treasures, live in an eternal palace, and be the fulfilled creatures that God intended us to be.  If you see the offer in its true nature, there’s no way you would say no.

There’s a song on the Hamilton soundtrack that always makes me think of these parables.  The song is “Helpless.” 

If you sit and listen to Phillipa Soo, with that amazing voice, sing it, you should pay attention to when she sings “I do, I do, I do, I do.” Even though she’s an actor, do you believe her? Don’t you think, if there’s anything she wants to do it life, it’s to marry this guy?  Do you hear the joy, the hope, the desperation in her voice? 

Let your heart say “I do” to Jesus and the joy of your salvation will strengthen you always.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer

[“Be Thou my vision” – Old Irish Poem by Dallan Forgaill 6^th century AD]

Riches, I heed not, Nor man’s empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, Now and always

Thou and Thou only, First in my heart

High King of Heaven, my treasure, Thou art.

Amen.