Do You Understand

Do You Understand?

Claiming the Treasure

August 1, 1999

GOAL: That the hearers joyfully claim the treasure of forgiveness and eternal life.

            The writer’s workshop I attended at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, proved itself a true treasure. It provided 20 attendants a wealth of knowledge about writing and publication. Wealth not claimed and used, however, remains worthless.

            Crowfoot, the great chief of the Blackfoot Indian confederacy in southern Alberta, serves as an example. He received a reward for giving the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to cross the Blackfoot land. His reward was a lifetime pass on the railway. He could go anywhere, anytime he chose, free of charge. Crowfoot put his pass in a leather case and carried it around his neck for the rest of his life. However, there is no record that he ever took a ride anywhere on the CPR. His treasure was worthless.

1.         God gives us a tremendous treasure.

            Jesus tells his followers parables to help them understand and claim the treasure they have in Christ. He speaks of the kingdom of heaven in simile being like a hidden treasure. That treasure induces a man who stumbles upon it to sell everything he has so he could lay claim to it.

Again Jesus uses simile to teach his followers. This time He speaks of a dealer in pearls. When he finds the best pearl, he too, sells all he has to buy it. Jesus wants His followers to understand that His Kingdom is the greatest treasure of all. Whether we stumble upon it or go in search of it, it remains unchanged in value. Peter speaks of this tremendous treasure to those who doubt. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! … He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil of fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” No matter how many find this treasure its value never changes. So what are we doing with this treasure? Keep it as Crowfoot kept his treasure?

            How easy to take the treasure, put the lid on it, and place it somewhere out of sight, out of mind. Surely, we could do better! Can we really? In our natural state, we cannot understand this kingdom treasure. Only when God sends his Holy Spirit into my heart can I receive this treasure through faith. From impotency to potency in the power of God, the treasure grows in us. His power brings knowledge that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. His power brings knowledge of His suffering and death for us, in our place, under God’s wrath and punishment on sin. His power brings knowledge of Paradise restored by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This treasure is ours through faith. After the next simile, Jesus asks the important question of those who profess faith in Him.

2.         Do you understand?

            You see, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net. It catches not only the good, but the bad as well. Only the good, those who understand, are preserved. The bad, those who do not understand, get thrown out. Jesus asks, “Have you understood all these things?” Perhaps you will dutifully answer, “Yes.” Indeed, you may understand. After all, we all know the story of Jesus. We know what he has done for us. We gather around His Word and Sacraments to thank him for the gift of forgiveness.

            But! do you understand the cost? What has the treasure cost us? Are we willing to sell our prized possessions to keep this treasure? Remember the pearl? Where do we search for answers? Why are we here? What is our purpose in life? Why does illness exist? How does God fit into my life? The answers are like “our” pearls—the answers we already have. We look at science for cures; we look at philosophy for purpose; we look at psychology for understanding. They are good “pearls,” but are not THE PEARL. They are attractive, and we do well to keep them, but they do not answer the deep, and more significant aspects of life; “How can I be certain I am among those in the net called “good?” Only that true pearl of great price gives the answer. We do not find it by accident. The Holy Spirit consistently works in our heart to lead us to this true pearl. As we examine it, reflect on it, and use it, we realize that only this pearl has answers to our most important need, being with God.

            Do you understand? Is your answer “Yes?” Then let’s talk about …

3.         Living the “yes.”

            You recall how the kingdom of heaven is like a net that catches all kinds of fish, good and bad. The good are people who say yes and live a life worthy of their calling. The bad are people who say yes with the lip but have no faith in the heart. Just as the fishermen bring all fish ashore and then sort the good from the bad, so on that Last Day the angels will sort the good from the bad. The good will spend eternity with God in heaven, and the bad will be cast into the “fiery furnace,” where there will be eternal torment of finally knowing the truth of Jesus Christ, but too late.

            It is easy to say yes to the confession of sins when we read it. We answer yes to “Do you intend to amend your sinful life?” but then we fail to keep our promise after the benediction. Certainly, we have given the right answer, but the answer must be from faith, answers wrought in us by God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus knows our mind, and builds on our answer. To the “yes” of faith God gives new treasures as well as old. He brings to our understanding new insights and new convictions of faith. Even from our failed commitments God produces new ones, as He strengthens our faith. Jesus, that priceless treasure, can, and does, bring new life even to our bungled past.

            Do you understand? Do you see the enormous treasure we have in Jesus Christ? Do you see the true pearl that answers our questions of life? Do you see how your offerings of time, and money, and service work to lead friends, and neighbors, and relatives to this treasure? Do you see that the Kingdom of Heaven is vital and active because of the treasure found? Yes! In Jesus Christ, we understand it all. Our name is not Crowfoot, but Christ. Amen.