The
thrill of the chase is over.
After
ten years, the treasure chest filled with gold and gems, hidden by a millionaire
with a flair for adventure, has been discovered somewhere in the Rocky
Mountains.
Hundreds
of thousands of people have searched and dug through the mountain west of the United
States for this very real treasure chest worth more than two million
dollars. Four people died in the wilderness
as they tried to decipher the cryptic poem which hinted at its location. But, one lucky person from the east coast has
deciphered the poem and found the hidden treasure. And, in this era of economic hardship for so much
of the world, this person’s life has likely been changed forever.
Imagine
a treasure so priceless that you would give up your entire life to find it.
Some
people seek after actual buried treasure, but I tend to seek after the kingdom
of God, and I know that in your heart of hearts you desire that kingdom too.
Who
would not want to discover the tiny seed that grows into a great tree; a tree
which houses and sustains not just the birds of the air, but all creation? Who would not want to climb the branches of
that tree where all are housed and given fruit no matter the color of their
plumage or the amount of wealth they have amassed in their nests? The kingdom of God is a tree of life for all.
“Look at the birds of
the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them,”
Jesus teaches us (Matthew 6:26).
Who
would not want to discover the dough stuffed with hidden yeast that grows and expands
and when baked feeds, not only those who can afford to build their own grain mills,
but especially those who cannot: vulnerable, disadvantaged adults and children? In the kingdom of God the multitudes are looked
upon with compassion and fed. The dough
of that love rises over the sides of the bowl and all over the place!
This
is the center of Jesus’ heart, heard clearly as Matthew teaches us that: “Jesus saw a great crowd; and he had
compassion for them” (Matthew 14:14).
Who
would not search and dig for the kingdom of God where your heart is truly free;
a heart that is not weighed down by things, or wealth, or concerns, or worry; a
heart that is free to love as God loved without the second thoughts, or the hate
passed down through the generations, or the fear that the heart might be stabbed
with pain once again?
“Where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also” Jesus says (Matthew 6:21). Who would not want a heart filled with the treasure
of God’s kingdom?
This
is the type of treasure that you sell everything in order to obtain. This is the type of treasure that you hold
close like a fine pearl. It is a
treasure that you do not fling around with wild abandon because those who are
evil, and hateful, and dishonest will trample all over it.
The
kingdom of God is a gift from God like no other. And, in a world where people feel pulled
apart from one another and encouraged to fan the flames of hatred and division
and partisanship, the gift of a tiny seed that grows into a tree that will
bring us all together to sit in its branches is the holy gift that the world desperately
needs.
Lord,
in a world where we are taught to hate instead of loving our enemies, have
mercy on us.
Lord,
in a world where we feel encouraged to protect ourselves and forget our
neighbors, have mercy on us.
Lord,
in a world where everything has gone wrong and no one knows what the next major
catastrophe to befall us might be, have mercy on us.
Lord,
help us to see the tiny seed that grows into the tree.
Lord,
help us to see the tiny yeast that expands for the benefit of all.
Lord,
help us to discover once again the absolute value of the treasure that feels
hidden far, far away in a distant field…as hard to find as a millionaire’s
treasure hunt…but of infinitely more value because it is not something that
would just improve our lives, it is life itself.
Lord,
help us to discover once again the treasure that is the kingdom of God
where
those who struggle in spirit are blessed;
where
those who mourn find an arm of comfort and consolation;
where
those who have no desire to take charge and have no opportunity to take charge
finally have a say;
where
those who thirst for the world to be right, and loving, and good will get their
drink;
where
those who show mercy to others will live in nothing but a world of mercy;
where
those who desire nothing but God will see God clearly;
where
those who seek nothing but peace and prosperity for all, and actively advocate
for it, will be seen as sons and daughters of God;
and
where those who suffer because they live for the kingdom of God will have
nothing less than that kingdom.
Lord,
your kingdom come, your will be done. Bring
us into your kingdom.
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