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Pastor Jim Greenlaw and his beautiful wife Marta attend Life Church with us in Rockland, Maine. Pastor Jim meets with God’s Holy Spirit early in the morning many mornings and then shares his musings with us. Please enjoy this one that really touched my heart. These are Holy Spirit’s words directed through Pastor Jim. (I have spaced them for easier reading.)

In Matthew 13:44, Jesus says these words: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a 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.’ This parable of Jesus is one of the most preached upon, taught about, and appreciated scriptures in the Gospel. Jesus was essentially saying that when we find Him and His Kingdom, we find great treasure! The treasure that we find in Jesus is so valuable and wonderful that we should desire to give all we have to possess it!

I know that when I opened my heart to Jesus, it was the greatest find of my life. I found something that I wanted with all my heart, and I was willing to do everything possible to possess this treasure! Jesus also said in Matthew 6:21: ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’

Now, I also believe that this parable speaks to us something else. Please hear this: Jesus is the man who finds the treasure. The field that He looks for and discovers it is the world. You and I are the treasure! We are the treasure found in the field! On Christmas, God Himself steps into the field of this world, and He puts His plow of love and grace into the soil that makes up our lives. He pulls back the dirt of deceptions that keep our true selves hidden. He finds us there, a treasure hidden in a field! He finds us where we are in need, unclaimed and unfulfilled.

Yes, there is a greater meaning to this parable. Jesus sees us, and He finds us! Then, Jesus secures us, His treasure, by the tremendous price of experiencing all the pain and tears that are ours, and suffered a brutal death on the Cross. Philippians 2:7-8 says: ‘Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.’ My friends, we must always remember that Jesus purchased the field and us with His very own blood! We are His treasure, and He is our treasure! What incredible love Jesus has for us! Jesus asked each of us this Christmas, ‘Will you open your heart to My love? Will you walk with Me and allow Me to take you on a journey to become the person you were meant to be? Will you trust Me with your life? Will you let Me be your greatest treasure?’ How will you respond to such an incomparable, unfailing love? Surely, a God who treasures us with such a wondrous love can have our lives completely without reservation!

Let’s pray: Lord Jesus, thank You that we are the greatest treasure of Your heart. Thank You, Lord, for searching for us and digging for us and purchasing us for such a costly price! Thank You that we will always be Your treasure! It’s in Your Name we Pray. Amen