Jesus has paid the price for our salvation

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:44-50

People often jump through all kinds of hoops to get what they want. When a man finds a woman he loves, winning her love becomes his immediate ambition. He tries all kinds of schemes and tricks until she falls in love with him. Eventually, he makes her his wife.

When a person finds something valuable, they are prepared to do whatever is possible to obtain it. They make great sacrifices just to get it. So is the kingdom of heaven. It is such a place that one would be willing to give up much to achieve it.

In the gospel lesson, Jesus is telling his disciples, who had given up everything to follow him, that it is worth it. They had not made a bad choice. Even though it looked like they were losing it all, they were gaining everything.

The kingdom of God is much more valuable than all the treasures of this world. The money that we accumulate here on earth is only good for our pilgrimage here on earth. Unfortunately, we cannot carry it with us when we die.

I know of many wealthy men who have died. Yes, they died rich. Yet, in death, they were poor. Once life left their bodies, they had nothing. All the money and earthly possessions they had accumulated during their lifetime, were of no use to them in death.

In fact, when they were placed in their caskets, they went with nothing. All their wealth was left here on earth.

Why? Because where they were going, they would not need any money. The personal riches they had here on earth could not help them any longer. The only thing they need in the afterlife is the grace of God.

When we leave this life, we leave the same way we came into the world — with nothing. Our personal riches and belongings cannot go with us.

Do not misunderstand what I am saying. There is nothing wrong with getting rich. However, we should not let our wealth become our god. We should not allow our earthly possessions to cause us to lose out on a heavenly treasure, the kingdom of God.

Even though it is good to have riches here on earth, and to enjoy the best of life’s offerings, it is better to have the greater treasure. That treasure gives us the greatest wealth we will ever need. That wealth, we can carry with us in our casket when we leave this earth.

What is that treasure? It is salvation, which is found in no other than Jesus Christ, our lord and savior. That is the treasure we should seek. It is good for this life and the life to come. Seek the gift of salvation, which comes to us through Jesus Christ.

Jesus is saying the kingdom is so precious that one should want to give up everything just to get it. Mind you, he is not saying that you can buy your way into heaven. One gets to heaven through the sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus has already paid the price for our salvation. We have an enormous treasure in Jesus Christ. Do not lose out on the greatest gift of all, eternal life. Amen.

• Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Drive, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone 426-9084; E-mail lutheranchurch@coralwave.com; or website www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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