DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- I FOUND IT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – I FOUND IT

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like 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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:44-46)

These parables can be understood in two ways. One interpretation is that Jesus came seeking us sinners. Jesus Himself said, " 'The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost' " (Luke 19:10). We are His treasure and He gave His all to purchase us – His very life. We are His treasure. In the other interpretation, it is man who is seeking the treasure – Jesus. For our Gleanings today, we will use the second scenario.

In the 1970's, Campus Crusade for Christ sponsored a national evangelistic outreach. It was called the "I Found It" campaign. The nation was filled with "I Found It" bumper stickers. Billboards abounded with the "I Found It" theme. Telephone call centers were organized to call every home in America.

Jesus started the first "I Found It" theme in these two parables. These two men were seekers. They were intentional in their search, and they were rewarded for their persistence when they found the things they were searching for, and when they found the thing that satisfied their desires, they were all in. They sold all that they had for the treasure.

In the old revival days, there was what was known as "the seekers' bench." That was where those who knew that the needed help would sit during the preaching. Oh, that we would have more people seeking to know God.

The Gospel is not hidden, but many people don't find it because they are not looking for it. While some people see the great value of the Gospel, others do not consider it to be worth anything. There seems to be no desire for spiritual things. Perhaps it is because they are satisfied with their spiritual condition, or perhaps it is because they are looking in the wrong place for something to satisfy their deepest desire.

The Kingdom of heaven is filled with people who have searched for and have found the object of greatest value – the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who can truly satisfy the longing of the heart. Knowing Him is worth everything that I have. I'm so glad that I have found the treasure, the Pearl of great price.

Love, Dad