Jesus Christ is the TREASURE

Riches, abundance, wealth, treasures in Christ are always related to the heart, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of him and his word which are uncorruptible.  He is our prize and rewards those who diligently seek him.   juxtaposed to physical wealth of the world through possessions and merchandise which are perishable.  

Strong’s Greek Concordance

Treasure ^[g2344] thēsauros  occurs 18x in 16 verses

• ; from G5087; a deposit, i.e. wealth (literally or figuratively):—treasure.

• the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up

  1. a casket, coffer, or other receptacle, in which valuables are kept

  2. a treasury

  3. storehouse, repository, magazine

• the things laid up in a treasury, collected treasures

Matthew 13 : The Parables of the Treasure and Pearl (Matthew 6:19-21)

44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to treasure ^[g2344] hid in a field; the which when a man has found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Why would he sell all he has with joy?  The only way he can do that is because he knows that what he is getting on the side of the value equation is so much greater than what he is giving up.  He knew in an instant that the treasure was worth infinitely more than anything he had.

THE VALUE EQUATION

 

VALUE = BENEFITS (what you get) / COST (what you give)

 

 

If the values is greater than 1 you will make the transaction.  What would you trade your most valuable possession for?  What about something of sentimental value?  The more you are giving up means the more you have to get for the equation to equal 1 or more.  What about a person?  now the equation breaks.  As the denominator approaches infiniti, the equation stops working because it does not exist.

Colossians 2 :Built Up in Christ (Revelation 3:14-22)

1 For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures ^[g2344] of wisdom and knowledge.

Paul is saying here is a treasure that’s worth all that you have to find it and its not worth you trading for anything.  Once you find it, treasure it above all else.  Paul is struggling/wresting for them in prayer for them to get and understand that is so valuable which is:

 

“to be encouraged in heart” – Encouraged meaning to call along side, like in running a race and your struggling  in order to strengthen.  The heart, which is our thoughts,  emotions, desires, choices aligning in cohesiveness.

 

“to be knit together in love” – in this context he is talking about community  (being together, reconciled, united). The only thing that can knit together a group of people together is the love of Christ  Self sacrificial love. I will lay down my desire for the sake of you whom I love.

 

“to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and he knowledge of God’s mystery which is Christ” – here he is talking about knowing Christ and not just intellectual knowledge about Jesus, but relational and experiential knowing. Its not until you know someone in a deep relational way that you have full assurance and confidence when you are around them.

 

“in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” – this is something that may not seem incredible to us but would have to Paul’s original audience. Wisdom was a huge deal to the Hebrews and in the OT.   Wisdom is the highest end in OT literature.  It is the great value worth giving everything for.

Proverbs 2 : The Benefits of Wisdom

1My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you; 2So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3Yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding; 4If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shall you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 7He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8He keeps the paths of judgment, and preserves the way of his saints.9Then shall you understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yes, every good path.10When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul; 

incline your ear to wisdom,

and apply your heart to understanding;

*Treasure my commands within you

– Treasure box – Ark of Covenant – commands within box

Solomon was the wisest man on earth

and Jesus said a greater that Solomon is here.

 

*We know him, if we keep his commandments.

*Seek understanding like silver

*Parable of silver coin in LUKE 15 which is reference to the 10 commandments and is sandwiched in between the parable of the Lost sheep and the prodigal son.

Luke 15 :The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14)

1Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them.3And he spoke this parable to them, saying, 4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.

Wisdom is an incredibly valuable commodity because it teaches you how to live life that leads to fullness.

 

In the board game LIFE, the most important thing in the box is not the currency, houses, or cars, the most valuable thing in the box is the instruction manual because it teaches you how to play the game. 

 

God created us and designed us.  Wisdom is living according to the way God called you to function so you will thrive.  Jesus is the embodiment and incarnation of God’s wisdom.  The word became flesh.  So if you want to know how to live and thrive and be full of joy, look to know and follow Jesus.    He is the great treasure. 

 

Paul is building the case that there is no limit to what you get in Christ.  He is of infinite value and inexhaustible wealth.

 

  Here is what Paul is building to…you found him, don’t trade him for anything and lean into him.  Open yourself up to him and mind yourself into the depths of his knowledge.  The more you dig in and start pulling out jewel by jewel and start to see all that’s in the treasure chest that is Christ and your relationship with him, the more valuable he becomes to you. Paul is saying Jesus is the most valuable possible possession you could have, there is not nee to look anywhere else and it is not worth trading for anything else, so don’t be fooled.  

 

Christianity is knowing and following Jesus.  There should be no component of who we are, or any cause or issue that we take on or engage that does not pass through Jesus at the center of all things. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any other direction.  What would you give for something of immeasurable value?  All that you have, if you were actually convinced that it as immeasurable value.

 

NO LIMIT/ NO LIMIT…now the equation works.

 

Jesus is the treasure and our relationship with him is the most important thing we have.  He is worth everything.  He is worth all that we are and he asks of everything from us.  He asks for all we have and all we are.  This makes us uncomfortable because we don’t actually think hat we get is worth it.  When Jesus calls someone, he calls all of them, all of who you are.  We have nothing to lose by giving ourselves to him.  Go all in.  Put all your chips on the square.  Don’t hold back time, money, or habits.

 

Do we see the treasure that is our is Jesus Christ? Is he the most valuable thing I possess? Do I believe that he is?  If so what does that mean for me in the value equation? What are you willing to invest in that relationship? What would it look life for me to be all in? If no, what in my life is more valuable?

If you are the source of life, then your word will give life.  If you are wholly truthful, then your word cannot error.  If you are glorious, then your word is a treasure.  Your word is like a deep, deep mine, and jewels rich and rare are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.   I love and delight in you word.  It is more valuable to me than gold or silver, therefore I will rejoice in it and treasure it in my heart like one who has found great treasure.  It is sweeter than honey (103) and more valuable to me than gold (72).  Give me the energy for study of your word that comes from a deep sense of the value of what I will find there. (ps 119).    Your words are pure as silver tried in a furnace, like gold refined 7 times. (ps 12:6)  Strengthen me with it, make me to understand it, and teach me to apply it in my life.  Your word and law is the perfect guide for life, so may I keep your law and instructions diligently, may I attend to them carefully, watch over them, and treasure them so that I can find your way and so I can reflect more of your character. 

• ← home new 2
• group →