“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.” (Matthew 13:44 ESV)

“And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:9-10 ESV)

In the Gospels Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  In an agrarian culture the revelation of God was given in everyday parables they could grasp, for those who would listen and accept the truth of the message hidden within.  Over the decades I have studied the parables and still I delight in their directness to those who have an ear to hear.  They provide a challenge to their listeners; me. 

It is as if Jesus is saying to us: “Do you really get it, the importance about what I am about?  Wake up, smell the coffee, comprehend what I am doing in words, proclamation and action of what has been prophesied centuries before. Salvation is only through me, Jesus” (See John 3:16). 

In the autumn we managed to clear some of our financial liabilities for the house.  This has enabled us, for the first time in a number of years, to have some financial headroom on our outgoings for Christmas presents.  So I took Caroline out to visit the local jewellers, to buy something as a token and celebration of our thirty years of marriage and love. 

We tried various jewellers, but what we found for Caroline there I felt was not really “rocking her boat”!   It seemed to me that she found it hard to be extravagant in buying something for herself. Decades of struggling financially can do that to you. 

I felt led to come off the side-streets and go into the shopping mall so we entered a high-class jewellers.  Caroline tried on some simple gold bracelets.  When she found the one she was taken with we could see immediately, this was the one in which she delighted.  The shop assistant noted that Caroline displayed an instant and a “completely different” reaction to its predecessors. The joy in the moment would be something she will treasure. 

In heaven, if not at present, Jesus is the bringer of Joy for those who will accept Him.  In return we can know the gift of salvation, inner peace and look forward to when there is joy in heaven for all who dare to trust in His unfailing Love for us.  

When we say: Amen, come Jesus, I believe He does, bringing gifts. 

Prayer: LORD Jesus, may our joy be real and our thanks open-hearted as we go with you into this New Year, giving everything to gain a greater prize, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Roderick Marshall