I assessed the eighteen-year-old young man before me. Adam was his name, He had met my seventeen-year-old daughter at a Christian conference the summer before. Although he lived over two hours away, he drove to our home almost every weekend to date our over-the-moon teenager. Now, he had found a job, a career, and was planning to move to be near her. It was almost too much to comprehend. Who does this at such a young age? He was giving up everything he knew, everything he had: friends, family, and his church. But he believed he had found a treasure.
The man in Matthew 13:44 also believed he had found a treasure worth surrendering everything he had in order to obtain it. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy goes and sells all he has and buys the field.” (ESV)
He saw past the dirt and grime when he pulled it from the earth. He tenderly held it in his hand, assessing its value.
He also knew it was not his to take. Under Jewish law, he could not take anything from a field he did not own.
So he returned the treasure to the field, and set about legally obtaining the land. That treasure was so great, he joyfully liquidated all his assets so he could buy the field and possess the treasure himself.
Who would do such a thing?
Jesus.
Jesus is that man. The world is that field. And the treasure? That treasure is you. And me. And all our brothers and sisters in humanity.
Jesus sees the treasure in us. Even though we currently are dusty, and damp, and dirty from being buried in this world. Our sin has made our riches unrecognizable to almost everyone. But when Jesus sees us, He sees this invaluable treasure, pure and priceless, and He wants to reunite us with God.
So Jesus bought this world through His sacrifice on the cross. He gave up everything so that He could purchase humanity back from sin’s snares and possess the treasure of us. And, He joyfully did it, knowing we were worth it.
Jesus exchanged His life for you and me. Our choice today and every day is will I accept Jesus’ payment in purchasing the redemption of my sin? He paid for my sin with everything He had. Will I accept His sacrifice and choose to draw closer to Him each day?
Just like Adam, who is now my son-in-law, Jesus discovered a great treasure and pursued full speed ahead. But ever so gently, gentlemanly, and justly, so there would be no doubt, you are His.
He wanted you.
He redeemed you.
His gaze never wavered from the treasure He saw. He did what He had to do to bring that treasure right back to where it belongs, with Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know where I have been and what I have done. Please forgive me. It’s overwhelming that You would see my life as a treasure but You do. Thank You for not giving up on me and thank You for sending Jesus to find me, to rescue me and to redeem me. Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness and Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.