Lay It Down
“Then He said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.’” — Matthew 13:52
Have you ever paused to consider what your salvation is truly worth to you? Is there anything in your life that could possibly be more valuable than your relationship with God? Our salvation was purchased with God’s greatest treasure—His Son, Jesus. As God’s children, do we fully grasp the immense faith risk God took when He sent Jesus into the world?
Scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are. He became fully human, and as a man, He was capable of succumbing to sin by giving in to those temptations. God was fully aware of this risk when He sent Jesus on His mission to rescue us. It was a covert operation of divine proportions, with the potential for failure. It would have been a lie to say that Jesus was tempted in all areas if He was not able to sin as a man.
Sometimes, we might mistakenly think that because Jesus lived a perfect life, there was no real risk or sacrifice involved. But how could we call it a sacrifice if there was no possibility of loss? God gave His most precious treasure so that our relationship with Him could be restored through salvation.
In today’s passage, Jesus breaks it down for us. He said this is what it is like to live and operate in the Kingdom of Heaven. Everyone that is taught and learns about the way God’s kingdom operates will give out of their most priceless possessions, whether old or new. He was saying that as a child of God, we will be willing to give up all we have for God’s great love and salvation.
But is this really true for us? Are we truly willing to lay down everything for our relationship with God? Do we see His love and our relationship with Him as our most prized possession? Would we willingly sacrifice both the old and new treasures in our lives to advance God’s kingdom? These are questions we must honestly consider as believers, so that if the day ever comes, we are ready to lay it all down for Him.
Today, I want to encourage you to think about the greatness of God’s love for you. Consider what it would mean to lose everything for the sake of the gospel. Though it may not be a pleasant thought, making this decision ahead of time will prepare you for any challenge that might come your way. If the day ever comes when you are put to the test, you will be ready to pass it with unwavering faith. Make the decision today to give all that you are and all that you have to bring others into the embrace of God’s love and salvation. When you do, you will truly be imitating Him as His beloved child.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 13:44-52
44 “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.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels but threw the bad away.
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,
50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
The Daily Dose 