"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the
field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great
value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Insights:
The third principle is the kingdom is personally appropriated. This third principle is the crux of the
parables. The previous two parables give
us the idea that the kingdom is just influential, or it's just large in
nature. It doesn't say anything about
the personal appropriation. And that's why our Lord gives us these two
parables. You have a man in verse 44;
you have another man in verse 45. Now
we're dealing with individuals. And each of them finds something specifically
for himself and appropriates it unto himself.
This is to show us that you can be sort of in the kingdom, under the
dominion of God and not be a citizen of the kingdom. If you're alive in the earth, you’re under
God’s rule, but you're not a subject of the King; you're not a personal citizen
of the kingdom. There are people in the
earth who are here but have never appropriated the kingdom. It is not enough to be under the influence of
the kingdom. It is not enough to just be
under the influence of the church, or the influence of Christianity. It is not enough to just, as it were, lodge
in the branches or be touched by its permeating influence. There must be personal appropriation. In other words, you must personally receive
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
The fourth principle is the kingdom is the source of joy. Now that is a very, very insightful addition
to this parable. It doesn't have to say
that in the parable, but it does and it's very, very important. The world is seeking for happiness. People want to feel good. The Lord knows that and offers real joy,
which is far better and greater than mere happiness. Jesus even said in John 15:11 to His
disciples, in summing up the best of what He had to offer, “the things I've
spoken unto you, I've spoken that My joy might remain in you and your joy might
be full.” True joy comes in the
discovery of the kingdom of heaven and in the Lord Jesus Christ. You must personally receive or appropriate
this joy through Jesus. Another person’s
faith cannot save you.
Questions:
- Have you come to the place where you recognize that another
person’s faith cannot save you?
- Have you personally experienced the joy of salvation found in Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Father, thank
You for the all surpassing joy You give to those born again. May my life Lord exemplify such a grace gift
as You have bestowed on me. Amen.
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