“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Do we realize how valuable this kingdom is? Do we realize that it is worth more than the sum total of all else we have? Do we tacitly acknowledge this and slowly and unhappily go about selling all we have that we may afford it? Or do divest ourselves of this world joyfully? If we realize the truth of what Jesus is saying we realize that we're getting such a good deal that we assume that the seller of the field must not fully realize the treasure they are including.
The kingdom is such a great treasure that it ought to transform us, often without our even realizing it.
As Moses came down from Mount Sinai
with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands,
he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant
while he conversed with the LORD.
We need the LORD to reveal to us the vital importance of the kingdom he establishes. We need to realize how without it nothing has value and nothing lasts. Let us not be transfixed by faux pearls when there is a pearl of great price offered to us at such a bargain. When we prize this treasure and this pearl over all else the LORD will shine through us. He will be able to use us to enlighten his people.
What are the things we are reluctant to sell? What comforts and pleasures are preventing us from receiving that which, in the final analysis, is the only thing that matters?
If we don't realize fully the immense worth of the treasure he offers, let us worship him. For in worshipping, we acknowledge him as he is in his greatness and splendor.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
Let us worship with full hearts until we can truly surrender all that we are "out of joy" to so great a God. Then our faces to may be radient with the light which our darkened world so desperately needs (cf. Psa. 34:5).
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