Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 13:44, “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.”

Tales of adventure. Tales of mystery. Tales of treasure marked by an X. They captivate our childhood. Empty the pockets of a six-year-old, the hidden box of a twelve-year-old, the journal of a young adult. All treasure.

What is our treasure? Where is it? “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” For what does my heart yearn. For what am I willing to give everything away. For what do I covet with joy.

Too often, Lord, it is the value of tangibles. Life, health, relationships, wealth, vocation, prestige. All fragile.

When will I seek Your treasure? Treasure that does not rust or decay or die. “Seek ye my face”, the psalmist prays. “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I think it’s the word strive that stops me. It sounds difficult. And yet I would gladly pour all my muscle into digging up the X. Maybe that’s the difference. Concentrated effort for a short duration or commitment for a lifetime. But the reward is Your heritage.

Teach me Your values, Lord. Take my heart. Turn it toward Your treasures hidden in relationship with You. All eternity.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 16:11

You show me the path of life.

In your presence there is fullness of joy;

in your right hand are pleasure forevermore.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Mark 10:25, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

Wisdom, worthiness, now wealth. None open the door to God’s kingdom. Wondering disciples question who, then, can be saved? What qualifications are yet obtainable? Who can turn the key? No man.

But the illusion weaves on through rich gains. Build. Build bigger. Build better. Boast. Blinded by silver, by gold, by name.

Worlds of splendor Satan bartered with Jesus. All the kingdoms of the world are yours if you worship me. As if he owned God’s own creation to give. Assuming a status based on accumulation. Jesus replied, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Satan left.

But what is impossible for man is possible with God. Bearer of hope, of mercy, of grace. Bearer of salvation.

Will I ever let go of my measures, Lord? Each time You plump my nest or praise my work I preen with pride. I forget Your call to be a faithful steward. To serve the people You bring into my life. To cater to needs through possessions instead of hoarding barns.

But then Lord, You startle me with outrageous potentials. Multiplying fish and bread. Walking on water. Nudging camels through needles. Crack open the door to Your kingdom. And true riches.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 118:20

This is the gate of the Lord; the

righteous shall enter through it.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 5:20, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Perfection. A goal we all reach for in different ways. Some paragons drive themselves and those around them to distraction in their search. Some display extreme patience and understanding with errors and mishaps, except in one special section of talent or gift or service when nothing less than excellence will be accepted. And there not the smallest detail escapes notice.

Artists often sigh at the end of a work because the vision that impulsed the idea could not be fully caught.

We strain. We stretch. We strive.

Pharisees and scribes purposed to keep the Law, to live holy lives, to maintain righteousness. As keepers and teachers of God’s words they knew His many promises to all who would be righteous. And they added codicils to the commandments to give themselves and Israel clearer boundaries.

To reach God’s standards. To be worthy of so great a love, so great a trust.

White washed tombs, Jesus said.

Perfection gone astray. The plan replaced the purpose. “For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Wrap me up in Your righteous robes, Lord. Forgive me for looking for any excellence apart from You. Cover my heart.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 132:9

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and let your faithful shout for joy.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Luke 17:20, Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed;”

“Sunshine expected early this afternoon. Warm weather inland.” In other words, bring an umbrella, we mock at the announcer. Despite scrupulous efforts to determine weather patterns, everyone has experienced so many opposite predictions that we often listen with a jaded ear.

Unless we are tracking with the scientists the paths of possible hurricanes, tornadoes, tidal waves or floods. Then we are relieved when the expected onslaughts dissipate. We listen with a joyous heart.

Stargazers study the heavens for comets, for nebulae, for galaxies. Seasons dictate seed plants and harvests worldwide. Seamen navigate by stars when modern technology fails. “And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years,..”.

Observable things given by God as gifts, bringing varying degrees of order to our lives, offering stability in repetition.

Unlike God’s kingdom. Coming unexpected, coming in clouds, coming like a thief in the night.

So we’ll stay alert, watchful, Lord? Ready to receive changes with courage. Ready to hear Your whisper in the midst of storms. Stretch my heart beyond observation, beyond expectations, beyond stability. Stretch my heart to watch for You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 34:15

I sought the Lord, and he answered me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him, and be radiant; so your

faces shall never be ashamed.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 18: 3, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

The dedicated docent rambled on through the details, emphasizing safety for the giant elephant seals and for us as we prepared to navigate their domain. Sun sparkled sand caught my shy two and a half year olds attention and he kneeled to sift it through tiny fingers. The docent paused mid-sentence. “Amen” my son whispered. “Amen!” he stated emphatically as the narration continued.

Throughout the two hour tour he silently rode his father’s shoulders, eyes dark with wonder. Then as the docent began his summary, “Yes! Jesus loves me” burst from my son’s lips. Startled, we smothered our laughter and moved as far to the back edge as possible. Shh, I touched my finger to his mouth. He reached over, patted me on the cheek, and sang even louder.

That evening we walked out to see the stars in the coastal sky. Astonishment rippled throughout his entire body. My son threw back his head and opened wide his arms.

“I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Jesus said.

Too many times I have walked through Your domain Lord with a silent heart and blind eyes to the beauty surrounding me. Instead I swat at mosquitoes, moan at muscle aches, mutter at stumblings. Instead of worshipping You, of awe at Your creation, of wonder at Your details. Expand my sight Lord, to look for You and see You with a child’s eyes.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 119:37

Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

give me life in your eyes.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 22:2, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.”

Weddings bring out smiles and best wishes from almost everyone. Private or public, we pause to pay our respects to the bride and groom.

In many cultures an entire town joins in the celebration. Or the festivities last many days. In some historical references a wedding was also an opportunity for far-flung relatives to congregate, for nobles to consolidate alliances, and for traders to contract future interests.

Wealthy fathers provide sumptuous feasts and the pleasure of the celebration multiplies with an invitation to the meal. We feel included. We bask in the joy of the day. Who would refuse?

In Jesus’ parable the king sent his slaves into the streets with a command. Fill the wedding hall. Find replacements for the delinquent guests. And the slaves gathered all they could find, both good and evil.

Wonder of wonder. We are included in the invitation. “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.””

I can’t imagine, Lord, dining at Your banquet. Give me the courage I pray to step across Your threshold and taste the delights of Your table. Thank you for extending Your hand, for embracing me into Your family circle.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:16

“I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,

and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Mark 4:30, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?”

Seeking to bridge the gap, searching for a means of communication Jesus reaches for a concrete image, a point of relationship; a familiar picture, a story.

Metamorphosis. Changed. Caterpillar to butterfly.

Basic concepts clearly detailed and defined. Even to a young child we can describe the process, show a demonstration, observe the phenomena. Science opens up doors of discovery. We follow intricate paths with increasing fascination. Further and further we explore.

Caterpillar to chrysalis to creation.

“With what can we compare or what parable will we use for it?” Of 800,000 species of insects discovered, butterflies are the second largest order, outnumbered only by beetles. Fragile beauty living a reality unseen, unnoticed, amidst our hectic lives.

Except, occasionally, we pause to watch in wonder when this delicate life dances before us catching our attention. And we wonder at its ethereal flight. And we are amazed.

Glimpses of beauty, peace and love draw me toward Your kingdom, Lord, and my heart catches within me. I long to recognize it, live in it. Lift me I pray. Prepare Your chrysalis for me that I too may be changed .

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 145:10-11

All your works shall give thanks to you,

O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,