Author: icbc

Introduction

It is on record that many persons hid treasures, including gold, silver or jewels, in jars in the earth. In a land so often invaded by enemy forces, the safest thing to do with one’s treasures was to bury them in the earth and run for one´s life and, on returning dig them up. In effect, jars of treasure were lost, their burial unknown to others (The Preacher´s Commentary). Jesus, in one of His parables, compares the Kingdom of God with this hidden treasure, as discussed in this Newsletter.

Finding the Treasure

Jesus taught His disciples with the use of real-life situations to illustrate His message of the Kingdom. He indicated:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Mat 13:44). Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Mat
13:45-46).

Jesus’ use of “treasure” is in reference to Himself. He is that treasure which is more precious than all that a man can ever possess or could ever imagine amassing. Once a person finds Christ Jesus, s/he must sacrifice all that s/he has acquired, and lay hands on Him. Things that could be discarded for the sake of Christ include a boyfriend, a girlfriend, some concubine, some riches, or other that are so cherished but have the ability to prevent us from fully committing ourselves to the Messiah. This was the mystery that the early disciples discovered, and this was exactly what they did. Paul confesses that he counts all things that he so valued as a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, his Lord. He says because of Christ, he has suffered the loss of all thing. He counts those things as dung so that he might win Christ (Php 3:8).

Also, when Zacchaeus discovered this treasure, he promised “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luk 19:8). When we find Christ Jesus, He becomes more precious than any material goods. It is far better to lose all that you have in exchange for the gift of God. We must rid ourselves of ´self` and receive Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

It requires complete self-denial to win Christ Jesus because Jesus teaches that whosoever will come after him should deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow him (Luk 9:23).

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is the found treasure that should earnestly be contended for. There is nothing comparable with knowing the Lord. Believers must forsake the pleasures of this world, and seek to obtain the precious Son of God.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, help us to shed ourselves of irrelevant materials and pleasures of this world. May you open the eyes of our understanding to discover and rediscover thy only Son, Jesus Christ, to appreciate him and be with Him, now and forever more. AMEN!

Introduction

This piece of writing discusses the concept of the “earthen vessel”. The name may refer to something worthless. It is a device made from clay or earth which is used to hold water or keep treasure such as land or title deed (Jer 32:14).

Believers as Treasures

The scriptures see man as an earthen vessel. This is so because the man was created from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7). Paul writes that “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2Co 4:6-9).

According to Paul, as written above, God Himself shines in our hearts to illuminate or spirits to understand His knowledge that pertains to Christ Jesus. Paul, therefore, argues that if a believer is able to demonstrate the power of God, s/he must be humble enough and give the glory to God, because being a man, made from clay, s/he cannot have such power to demonstrate the glory of God. So, if God shines in our hearts, He lives there with all His fullness and works through us. By implication, believers have God in them, therefore, as an earthen vessel, they house God who is their treasure and glory.

Vessels in the Great House

Again, Paul teaches that though believers are treasure-carrying vessels in the house of God, their vessels differ in glory from one another. He, therefore contends that “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of the earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man, therefore, purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2Ti 2:20-21).

The vessels differ in appearance but that does not matter to God. Whether one´s vessel commands respect or is looked down on, by others. The important thing is its sanctification. He, therefore, contends that if any person, irrespective of his/her appearance, shall sanctify his/her vessel or body, s/he shall be reserved for God´s use. This explains that God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11).

Conclusions

Humans were made from the dust of the ground but God has endowed Him/her with a treasure. Whatever treasure-gifts or talents that man might have, s/he have no reason to boast and take the glory that belongs to God for himself or herself. Believers need to understand that it is God who shines in them to help them understand and accept the knowledge about Himself, and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. For God to use his children to display His glory, He demands their sanctification

Prayer: Our merciful God, we thank you for the treasure you have deposited in us. I pray that you help us to value it and live our lives worthy of that treasure so that we shall be ready and available for your use. In the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!