Does my life proclaim that Jesus is the Savior?
This is the question I found myself asking myself at church a couple Sundays ago. The elder was leading a simple time before offering communion and asked us to ask that question.
It's a good question.
So I asked it.
And the answer is important, but more important is why I (and you) should desire for the answer to be yes.
It's found in two simple parables that Jesus tells back-to-back in just three verses in the book of Matthew.
"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. (Mt. 13:44-46)
There's no need for in-depth exegesis here (or at least not from me). I'm going to apply the old, read the Bible like a 12 year-old rule here.
In the first story, a man discovers a great treasure and seeing its value decides it is worth it to sell everything he has to attain that treasure. In comparison, all he owns is less valuable than that treasure, so he chases after the treasure and buys the field. Jesus says the Kingdom he's bringing (the promise of the Gospel) is like that.
In the second story, a merchant knows what he's looking for. He finds it. It is so valuable and of such great worth that he sells everything he has for that pearl. In comparison, all he owns is less valuable than that pearl. So, he makes an obvious trade, that of less value, for that of more value. Jesus says the Kingdom he's bringing is like that.
Jesus' promise is one of great value and he calls us to live radically for that treasure.
He is what's valuable and important.
Not money.
Not time.
Not desires.
Not ministry.
Not leisure.
Not work.
Not pleasure.
Not self.
Not sex.
Not relationships.
Not possessions.
Not religiosity.
He is worth it! He is worth my whole life! My priorities! My time! My giving up my rights! My loving when I'd rather not!
He is worth it.
(more on this thought to come)
2 comments:
love this post!!
im asking myself the same question. God is using it, so thanks for posting!
Hey, I agree. I read your blog. First time in recent memory. What a good decision at 11:30pm on a Saturday night. I like the reading the Bible like a 12 yr. old rule. I also like basic logic, like weighing things against one another. The promises of Jesus are exceedingly, outrageously compensational.
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