The Truth about Heaven!

“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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46

Would you like to win the lottery? Perhaps many of us have daydreamed about what we would do with the money if we won. Did you ever as a child imagine finding a buried chest full of treasure? Divers search the ocean floor for sunken ships and the treasure that they hold. But, in these instances the treasures in our imagination are physical. The greatest treasure we can ever possess is spiritual, and it’s for real and available to us.

Jesus was telling what the kingdom of heaven is like. Heaven is the greatest treasure a person can possess. Its value is emphasized in two of Jesus’ parables which teach the same truth.

The first parable tells about a man who discovered a treasure hidden in a field. There were no banks or safes in Jesus’ day, and people often buried their wealth in the ground to hide it from thieves. The man in the parable hid the treasure again. Then he sold everything he had and used that money buy the field.

The second parable says the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who was searching for fine pearls. He found one of great value, and he sold everything he had and bought it.

These two parables teach us the same truth. The kingdom of heaven is of such great value that a person should be willing to give up everything that he has in order to gain it. And this is what it takes--total commitment to God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Paul called upon us to be “living sacrifices” and called that our “reasonable service”.

We can look at the two parables from a different perspective We can liken the person who pays the great price to Jesus and the treasure to mankind. Certainly, Jesus paid the highest price ever paid for anything when He died on the cross for us. Knowing Him and belonging to Him is worth everything that we have to give--ourselves in commitment, service, and obedience. One hymn says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” Spending eternity with Him and God the Father and our constant companion, the Holy Spirit, is certainly worth everything we have to give.

Father, may we give ourselves to You in total commitment, with gratitude for all You have given us and with great anticipation for what You have prepared for us in heaven for eternity. May we realize that it is worth everything we have to give. Amen.