Those of us who have found Jesus and who have put our trust in Him for salvation know what a treasure He is. We have found in Him a hope that will not fail. There is a shining excellence that hangs around all of His promises. We have found a better and an abiding possession in him and this allows us to hold onto things in this life with a loose grip. In Him, we have found a forever home and a life full of purpose and meaning. We find that we can even approach death with a light heart. Those who have not found Jesus may argue with us about who He is and His significance, but they would also have to concede that they have not found such a treasure of rest and joy and hope and life, as we have found, in anything or anyone else. Like a bird winging its way over the ocean they’re still looking for a place to touch down with all of their hopes and fears, but we have found our place of rest in Jesus.
This Sunday we will be spending time in two of Jesus’ parables that have been beloved by the church for generations. In Matthew 13:44-46 we find the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great value.

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.