Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The dictionary defines “treasure” as “something of great worth or value ... a collection of precious things.” Most of us think of treasure as something like gold or diamonds … something worth a lot of money. But a “treasure” can also be something that’s determined to be priceless by a personal assessment … like a picture of a loved one or small token of appreciation given by a dear friend. Regardless of monetary value, a “treasure” is priceless to the one who holds it … and if lost, something one goes in search of.

God created us, from the very start, to be His treasure. Even after Adam and Eve fell into temptation and sinned, we have remained God’s treasure. Adam and Eve hid themselves in fear after realizing they disobeyed God. But God actively called out for them, searching for His treasure. And He didn’t stop searching. Over and over, His people ran and hid … sinning against Him. Yet, He continued calling out to His people through His prophets. As His people Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, God’s servant Moses reminds them, “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6)” 

Finally, at the right time, God proved His assessment of our value to Him when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sin and eternal death. Jesus paid the price to save us, not with treasures of silver and gold, but by giving everything He had, His body and blood. He sacrificed His life to purchase His Father’s treasured possession, you and me, from sin and death. 

Though to some, we might not be much to look at, we are God’s treasure. And those who believe in Jesus receive the greatest treasure of all – not silver or gold – but eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. 

In the Love of Christ,

Pastor Jim