Diggers & Chasers

Which one are you? When at the beach, do you prefer digging for shells or chasing them in the water? If you're a thrifty shopper, would you rather dig for treasures thoroughly in one place or seek for treasures quickly in many places? Or maybe you're a little of both, the digger and the chaser. A recent beach trip got me thinking about these things as it relates to people, ministry, and the Body of Christ...

Key Scriptures: Luke 15, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 19:16-30

Seek & Find

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)

Last fall, I was blessed with a trip to the beach with our ministry's longest and most faithful volunteer, Joyce. It was so much fun! We enjoyed our time together looking for treasures at the local thrift stores and on the beach. I absolutely love finding seashells! And so does Joyce. My favorite way to find them is by chasing them in the water. Those are the ones that can be challenging to find, because the waves so easily move them into deeper water or under sand. As I was chasing shells, I looked around to check on Joyce. Well, she was digging for shells! I had a good chuckle and aha moment. This is how she likes to find seashells. Digging, seeking, and finding is also what she does daily in our ministry. She loves going through the mounds of clothes and finding suitable items for the people we serve in our community. I actually abhor it! I prefer seeking after conversations with the people we serve. So our beach time totally made me think of the Body of Christ and how we do different things, different ways, with one and the same mission.

Lost & Found

"...Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost." (Luke 15:9 KJV)

In Luke 15, Jesus tells us parables about finding lost sheep, lost coins, and a lost son. He teaches us that the one lost sheep was so important, that the owner left the other ninety-nine to find it. Once the lost sheep was found, the owner called together friends and neighbors to rejoice with him for finding it. Jesus teaches us that when the woman lost one of her ten pieces of silver, she sought diligently to find it. Once she found the silver, she also called her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. In both of these parables, Jesus says this rejoicing is what it's like in heaven when one sinner repents. The celebration is a big deal!

"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (Luke 15:24 KJV)

Finally in this chapter Jesus tells the parable of the lost son. Now he's bringing us the big picture. One of the father's sons asks for his inheritance and then blows it all on riotous living. Having nothing left, he becomes a servant feeding swine, without resources to feed himself. In desperation, the son decides to go home to his father and seek forgiveness. The father gladly receives him, lavishing him with the best robe, shoes, ring, feast, and celebration. It's a beautiful image of our Father in heaven receiving sinners whom repent. He never questions or condemns the past. He merely rejoices with great love and compassion!

Finding Treasure

“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." (Matthew 13:44 KJV)

In Matthew 13, Jesus speaks parables about finding treasure and pearls. He tells us that this is what the kingdom of heaven is like. The man wanted the treasure that he found so badly that he sold everything he possessed to obtain it. The merchant wanted the pearl that he found so much that he also sold everything he possessed to obtain it. Jesus is basically telling us that heaven is worth giving up everything we have in order to obtain it.

Seeking Eternal Life

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (Matthew 19:21 KJV)

Finally, in Matthew 19, there was a man whom asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The man claimed he had kept them all since his youth. Then Jesus told him what else he must do is to sell his possessions, give them to the poor, and follow him. The man walked away sad because he had many possessions and wanted to keep them. This man's heart is revealed. His possessions were more important to him than following Jesus. Sadly, this is the case with many, if not most people. It's easy to claim we follow Jesus. Yet when he tells us to give up something, we refuse. We've put our trust in the resources God has given us, rather than God, the giver of the resources. Jesus goes on to tell us, like this man seeking eternity, that it is very difficult, but not impossible, for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Why?

“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19:29 KJV)

The common theme throughout these Scriptures is VALUE. The Lord values each person greatly. He has especially placed great value on the lost sinner who repents. Our life is of great value! Heaven is so valuable that it's worth sacrificing every thing we own to obtain entry. Eternal life is of great value! Lastly, Jesus' life, the greatest value of all time, believed that your life was so valuable that He shed His blood to die on the cross so that you may have eternal life. It's a beautiful exchange. His life for your life.

Jesus loves us sacrificially! May we love Jesus sacrificially! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!

"If Jesus asked you to sell some or all of your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him, would you do it?"