The field the man found the treasure in wasn't his. It belonged to someone else. Didn't the man have a moral obligation to inform the lawful owner that he sat on a treasure? Instead, our main character rushed out and did something quite deceptive.
He didn't offer to buy the treasure from the true owner, but to buy the land, knowing that the owner didn't realize the true value of it. If this part of the story wasn't important, Jesus could have simple said that the man sold all he had (a statement of deep desire) to buy the field. But He didn't choose to tell the tale that way. He turned in into a tale of obsession.
I realize obsession is a strong word, but strong words are sometimes needed to make a critical point. Think about it. What kind of man sells all he owns to buy a field? A man obsessed with that field or, as in this case, the treasure in the field. Clearly , Christ wasn't promoting deception, but He obviously thought it was a useful tool in showing just how far someone might go to secure the kingdom of heaven.
If there is one driving sentiment that heaven is worthy of, it is obsession. Unfortunately, like desire and passion, the word obsession has been dirtied by the world. Pure, irresistible desire has been undermined in many parts of the church. Yet it best characterizes the kind of hope the early church had for the bliss that awaited them after this life.
Let's take a closer look at this word:
1. A persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly: a compelling motivation. (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition)
The man from Jesus parable of the treasure in the field was indeed compelled by a persistent preoccupation with a somewhat unreasonable idea, wasn't he? This is the missed point of the story.
The man did something unorthodox to obtain something he obviously thought was unattainable any other way. He sold all he owned, and he went to great lengths to own the treasure by buying the field that contained it. He was guided by obsession.
Jesus point isn't that we should all find deceptive ways to gain wealth. It is simply that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, and that treasure is worth our greatest obsession.
I've seen plenty of obsessed Christians in my time. They are usually new to the faith, and tend to bounce off the walls in their enthusiasm. Talk about cars with them and they'll find a way to turn the subject back to Christ. Talk about food and they will tell you they have lost their hunger for the things of this world. They have a new compelling motivation. They have a persistent preoccupation with an unreasonable feeling. They are obsessed (what happened to us?) Have no fear, new Christian you are in good historical company.
John the Baptist was obsessed: His obsession with a simple message - prepare your hearts for the coming Messiah - compelled him to live in the desert, wear gunnysacks, and eat insects. He was thoroughly preoccupied by an unreasonable idea.
David was obsessed: His whole life reads like a maniacs, so passionate was he for his Deliverer. Yet he was the one man in history called out by God as having a heart most like His own.
Paul was obsessed: He spent years alone in the desert, feeding on the Spirit's revelation, before throwing himself into a dogged determination to spread the light to the lost. Through it all he considered dying to be with Christ far better than living on earth.
History is made by obsessed humans who are captivated by a compelling motivation for something they do not yet have. That would be heaven for the Christian.
Question: Is God obsessed?
If you say no, either you haven't read His story or you've not understood it. The only difference between His compelling motivation to live as a human and die on the cross, and our own motivation towards heaven is that his required no faith. But His passion far exceeds any we are even capable of in this life. God is obsessive. Remember Webster's definition of obsession? God is indeed driven by a compelling motivation, a persistent preoccupation with an idea that is beyond our ability to reason. His ways confound the wise, and his passion for YOU is beyond understanding.
He is preoccupied with YOU! He is determined to save you from his own wrath. He has wiped out many cities to protect his own. He destroyed the earth with a flood in his anguish. He goes to unthinkable lengths to find those who will allow Him to love them. And in the end he will once again destroy the earth in the most spectacular fashion for the sake of his kingdom.
Because his ways are beyond our understanding, many people discount the records of what he has done as a fairy tale. Many humans dismiss even the idea of God because he makes no sense to them.
Yes, God is obsessive. Many frown on that term, but our faith in part depends on it. God is obsessed, and now we, too, can be obsessed.
We can preoccupy our minds with an unreasonable treasure and enamor our hearts with the hope of glory.
Heaven, a treasure worthy of our obsession:
There are some people who believe that their treasure is found here on earth, that the kingdom of heaven is found in the here and now. The treasure we experience here, now, is merely a foretaste of the great bliss that awaits us. We do have incomparably great power to live victorious lives as we await our salvation, but we must understand that this power is designed to propel us down the road to our destiny. Heaven. That is the goal we are running for. And the moment we take our eyes off the prize, our power to run the race to the finish is compromised.
What a bold statement by Paul! Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. If the treasure you obsess after is on this earth, your heart will remain on this earth; but if your treasure is in heaven, your heart will be there as well.
God Bless and Press On
Larry
* from Ted Dekker's
"The Slumber of Christianity"
Larry,
ReplyDeletePersepective is greatly needed in the body at large today. So many pop doctrines have steered the church away from fundamental truths that seem like small things, but a fraction of a degree off center will lead a ship astray. A church alert is what we need. Thanks for the sobering words, i pray they fall on thirsty ears. This generation needs straight teaching. I see your appreciation of language as you clarify the meaning of the word obsession and make mention of others. As you have probably noticed, this generation has so butchered our vernacular that countless words and pharases have lost their true meanings. I have enjoyed all of your posts, not merely because you are a good writer but it excites me that God has moved on you to expound on the fundamental truths the world and the church is lacking. So far, that i have read, you have expounded on and with, Integrity, Transparency and tenets of our faith, without regard to popularity or personal image. Great job my brother!! I believe the fruit of your labor will be great.
Blessings!!
Sherrie Davis