City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

⁴⁴ The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells everything that he has, and buys that field.

Matthew 13:44 (NASB)

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s scripture showcases the hiddenness that characterizes the Kingdom of God. God’s Kingdom is hidden in plain sight. Much like the way salt flavors food, God’s Kingdom savors life with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

In the parable above, the man sold everything he had to buy a field in which he hid the treasure he found. I’m sure we’re all wondering, why did the man hide the treasure again after finding it? Maybe that was the intended purpose for the treasure–to be hidden. 

Even while hidden, the treasure radically changed the man’s life. He sold everything he had in order to create space for his treasure. The Kingdom of Heaven is also likened to a seed (Matthew 13:31). What if the treasure was meant to be planted and grown for a harvest? That certainly adds another layer of meaning to buying an entire field for it. 

There’s a big difference between burying and planting. People bury the dead or bury something they never want to see again. While planting does mean death for a seed, it also leads to a greater form of life flowing out of that seed which brings fruit to bless others and more seeds for a future harvest. God is working while that seed is hidden in the earth and dies, bringing forth the greater life. 

Similarly, we are hidden right now in the earth, and we are called to die daily. We are called to die to the “seedy” life, so we can live the much greater resurrection life God destined for us. 

Application

Are you holding onto life as a seed? Or have you discovered the true treasure that is the Kingdom of Heaven within and have you sold everything you have to make space for that treasure to grow in your life? There is no growth without death. One thing every believer can say is they’re not the same person they were before. That old life is gone; a new life has begun, and it’s so much better!

What are you holding onto that’s preventing you from living for God’s Kingdom? Are you able to let it go? When you do, you’ll find freedom and joy from knowing that your future is secure in Christ. 

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliot

Prayer

Father God, thank You for revealing Your Kingdom to me. I know it’s the most valuable thing I have to live for. Empower me to seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness all the days of my life. I trust You to provide my every need as I seek You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.