WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP?

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“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

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

What would you do if you had the chance to obtain something of incredible value but knew there was only one catch…you would have to sell everything you had to get it?

Would you be willing to give up everything for that treasure?

It’s a question we’re asked to ponder as we look at Jesus’ latest parables from the 13th chapter of Matthew. Look again at his words here:

“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

In each of these parables, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to treasures found by someone seeking them. In each instance, the person sold everything he had in order to have that treasure for his very own.

So what would you be willing to give up in order to gain the “treasure” Jesus is talking about, the kingdom of heaven?

In a separate passage, we find Jesus telling us the price He expects us to pay.

“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:38

and

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21

and

“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be My disciples.” Luke 14:33

So Jesus called on those who chose to follow Him to be willing to give up everything to find the kingdom of heaven. In other words, in order to find eternal life, one has to be willing to lose it all first, willing to give it all up.

Need an example of what that looks like?

Let’s go back to the scriptures and the 4th chapter of Matthew where we read this:

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.  Matthew 4:18-22

Here we find Jesus calling His first disciples, the initial men called to His service. Note here that the men didn’t hesitate and ponder Jesus command long. Rather, in both instances we find the men immediately leaving their nets - and in the case of James and John, their father - to go with Jesus. They treasured Jesus more than anything they had and we’re to do the same. Look at these words from Jesus’ teaching during the Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Did you catch what Jesus said?

Wherever your treasure is, that’s where you will find your heart.

So what do you hold as your treasure?

As a Christian, if it’s anything else besides Jesus, then you’re missing the mark. For if one is going to be Christian or Christ-like, then they need to commit everything they are and everything they have to Him. Period. He needs to be the greatest treasure in a Christian’s life and when Jesus is that, then your heart will be with Him and as a result, all you think, say, and do will be born out of what He would have you think, say, and do.

It’s where every Christian needs to be but it requires one to sacrifice everything else to obtain the greatest treasure ever, Jesus and the salvation He brings, the key to the kingdom of heaven.

Are you willing to give everything up for Jesus?

For He surely treasured you, me, and every other person in creation enough that He was willing to give it all up for us so that we might not perish but have the chance to live with Him and God, His Father and ours, forever.

Yes, gaining the kingdom of heaven and the treasure it is only comes through sacrificing everything, following the lead of Jesus, who first sacrificed all for us.

Amen.  
In Christ,
Mark
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