Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 4
Wednesday


READ:
Matthew 13:44-50
_______________________________________________________________________________

The Kingdom of heaven
is like treasure hidden
in a field, which a man
found and hid; and for
joy over it he goes and
sells all that he has and
buys that field.
__Matthew 13:44
_________________________________________________________________________________

In 1867 on a farm in South Africa, 15-year-old Erasmus Jacobs saw a stone glistening in the sun. The shining rock was eventually reported to a neighbor, who wanted to buy it from the family. Not knowing its value, Erasmus' mother told the neighbor, "You can keep the stone, if you want it."

Eventually, a mineralogist determined the stone to be a 21.25 carat diamond and worth a great sum. It became known as the "Eureka Diamond." (The Greek word eureka means "I found it!") Soon the fields near the Jacobs' farm soared in value. Underneath the land was one of the richest diamond deposits ever discovered.

Jesus said that the value of being part of God's kingdom is like treasure: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (Matt. 13:44).

When we put our faith in Christ, a spiritual "eureka moment" arrives. God gives us forgiveness in His Son. It is the greatest treasure that could ever be found. Now all of life can begin to center on the value of becoming a joyous member of His eternal kingdom. It's our joy to share that valuable discovery with others. __Dennis Fisher

```````````````````How we need a keen awareness``````````````````
```````````````````Of the joys God wants to share!```````````````````
``````````````````Priceless treasures found in Jesus_`````````````````
``````````````We are rich beyond compare! __D. DeHaan`````````````
__________________________________________________________________________________________
God's kingdom is a treasure meant to be shared

******************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 13:44-50*******************

44 Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like treasure
hidden in a field, which a
man found and hid; and for
joy over it he goes and sells
all that he has and buys that
field.

45 Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a merchant
seeking beautiful pearls,

46 who, when he had found
one pearl of great price,
went and sold all that he
had and bought it.

47 Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a dragnet that
was cast into the sea and
gathered some of every
kind, 48 which, when it was
full, they drew to shore;
and they sat down and
gathered the good into
vessels, but threw the bad
away. 49 So it will be at the
end of the age. The angels
will come forth, separate
the wicked from among the
just, 50 and cast them into
the furnace of fire. There
will be wailing and
gnashing of teeth.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In today's text, we find thee metaphors regarding the nature of the
kingdom: The kingdom of heaven is like a field, a merchant, and
a dragnet. In each case, something of value is depicted. The field
contains a treasure, the man possesses a pearl, and the dragnet
holds a valuable catch of fish. What Jesus is expressing in part is
that the kingdom of heaven contain something of great value to
Him-the children of God-something for which He is willing to
give His life.