Friday, April 28, 2006

Searching for Treasure

1 Peter 1:10-12
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Since the dawn of time prophets have labored looking forward in hope toward what I have the privilege of looking back upon in faith. Those prophets “inquired” and “searched carefully” for the treasures hidden in the field. They left no stone unturned and allowed no opportunity to pass. They weren’t sure when or where the Christ would come, but they understood why. The prophets knew of their sin and shortcomings and that drove them to a life of meticulous searching. They were confident that God’s merciful grace was coming and that his lavish character would be generous with the benefits. They worked and I benefited from their labor.

It is much easier for me to buy a car than for me to build one. For 100 years engineers have worked to design and perfect something that I now use daily. I’m indebted to them for their life’s work has become a necessity to me.

How much more am I indebted to the faithful who came before me, praying and acting in faith, even at their peril, writing of their findings and passing the treasure of the knowledge of Christ down as an inheritance to me. The Spirit of Christ compelled them with the idea of a Suffering Servant and motivated them with the thought of a glorious Messiah that would reign. They understood that their toil would not produce much fruit in their lifetime, but they labored on in search of the treasure that their incomplete map might be passed to another generation. And their hope was that one day a long way off, a generation would find the Treasure and steward it well.

In effect, my forebears were actually preaching the gospel through the portals of time and their voices are still ringing out to this day saying, “This is the way . . . the Treasure is here in this field. The Cross marks the spot! Now go sell all you have and purchase that field and be a good steward of that Treasure – our Christ – whose glory we labored and gave our lives for.” And as they preached this simple message the angels in heaven perched on their posts looking down in amazement, even a bit puzzled, recognizing the likeness of their King on the face of a baby – in the touch of a healer – and in the blood of a condemned criminal. And then early one morning they too grasped the glory of our priceless Treasure.

Lord Jesus, may I seek you and enjoy you with the same intensity that the prophets and angels did. And may I be a good steward pointing others to you, our blessed Treasure.

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