The Kingdom of Heaven
“‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field … Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46, 5:17-19
The kingdom of heaven is like that thing for which you would give up everything. In both of the very short parables of the kingdom in these passages from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gives us examples of people who gave up everything they had to possess that thing — the treasure or the pearl — that was more wonderful and more valuable than everything else combined. It is the wonder and the awe, the unimaginable worth that tells us what the kingdom of heaven is like.
So, what did those individuals give up for the kingdom of heaven? They gave up what they could control and what they possessed to have something that was beyond explanation. They did not fear what might happen when giving up all possessions. By giving up control of everything and moving forward in faith, they were able to know the kingdom of heaven, to know God.
When we insist on being in control, we may be unable to see the hidden treasures that help us to grow and strengthen our relationship with God. What things in your life would you give up to know what the kingdom of heaven is like?
A Prayer For Knowledge of God's Creation
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“The Book of Common Prayer,” page 827.
