Incomparable Valuable Kingdom of God

Matthew 13:44-46
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

As I think of the incomparable grace of God as expressed in Matthew 13:44-46, this above song from Kristyn Getty has encouraged me. The Kingdom of God is like no other thing we value. Because Jesus Christ brought us (stubborn, apathetic, uninterested, prideful, and sometimes seekers) into His Kingdom by freely and willingly giving up His life and paying for our insurmountable debt, He enables us to give up our agendas and plans so that we can follow him. Following Jesus does cost us, but as we grow in our understanding of the incomparable valuable Kingdom of God, it is worth the investment.

David Livingstone, a doctor, explorer and missionary in Africa once shared: “I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes in time or eternity.”

Craig Blomberg also challenges in his book Interpreting the Parables, “Those who would truly follow Christ must be prepared to abandon whatever might stand in the way of whole-hearted discipleship. In doing so, they acknowledge their utter unworthiness to earn God’s favor.”

Friends in Christ Jesus, because you have entered the incomparable valuable Kingdom of God, the Spirit of Christ is at work in you to make this happen. He is about removing those barriers that blind us from seeing the value of the kingdom of God so that we experience more of His grace but also that we might join him in transforming this community and world.

Warmly,

Jeff