parable – Jerry Lout ⚬ Writer ⚬ Speaker ⚬ Mobilizer

The artificial intelligence gurus are the first to confess in these early stages that A.I. is not always the ideal source of garnering accurate information. That said, in curiosity we floated a phrase to the Web, wondering if A.I. had it in her to crank out an “intelligent” response. The phrase submitted is:

Life in Jesus, the great treasure.

A.I. shot back:

“The idea is that a life centered on Jesus brings a deeper sense of joy, purpose, and fulfillment than any temporary earthly pleasure.” (how does one high-five a mechanism that mimics the human brain!?)

In one publication John Piper asks, “What is Christ to us if he is not our all-satisfying treasure?” His article continues,

“The primary point (in Jesus’ parable) is that Christ, in his kingly greatness, is supremely valuable. The secondary point is that the way to have Christ as our treasure is to experience such a joy in his value that he is more to be desired than all our other possessions put together. Receiving Jesus as our treasure really does imply joyfully treasuring him.”

The statement rings true. Yet, as we know, coming to joyfully treasure another person does not usually happen overnight. Typically, we grow to value the special person more and more as we give time getting to know them. We learn who they are, their character, their personality and values.

Ann and I will, by year’s end celebrate the 58^th time circling the sun together as husband and wife. While it was certainly love that found us pledging our vows before the minister those years ago, we have, along the way grown deeper in our relationship. We treasure more fully this marital union, and this spouse (continuing to stand alongside) “for better or for worse”.

In a similar but even richer way, the disciple of Jesus comes to know their Lord more intimately over time. The apprentice comes to joyfully value and treasure the person of Jesus.

The follower of Christ happily echoes a line made famous by gospel singer James Cleveland,

“Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me”.

For most of us the thought of dying every day does not generate fond images. At least, at first.

I was young when the term “fool’s gold” entered my vocabulary. While playing outside one day I came upon a chunk of rock that grabbed my attention. It was the glitter that beamed from it as I turned it in my hand under direct sunlight. Learning that the alluring item had an unflattering nickname brought disappointment. Insult was added to injury. . . who likes being labeled “fool”?

Addressing a crowd of people one day Jesus launched into a parable The short story, given to provide some instructive insight, was followed by another. Then yet another. The rabi was on a roll.

Two of his stories – paired closely as if to emphasize his point – carried a single theme. Both stories – Parable # 5 and Parable # 6 – must have struck a chord with his listeners. Each narrative focused direct attention on the unexpected discovery of some extraordinary treasure – (no “fool’s gold” here.) Either one of these stumbled-upon prizes would have qualified as any treasure hunter’s dream find.

Seeing the items – one a rare treasure, the other an exquisite pearl – the discoverers went breathless with excitement. Each knew that acquiring such riches would require a trade-off. Of some kind. In order to gain the treasure, something of their own current possession would be let go. Yet, whatever the price, nothing they would offer could match the worth of this! Neither man balked.

Making such a discovery, each man – likely at breakneck speed – darted off to gather up whatever belongings he called his own. And liquidated all of it without a blink. You could say he was “dead” to everything except his new find. The single thing that mattered was the thing of priceless value – the treasure, the pearl.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” **

Tag: parable

Best Thing Ever

Value Assessment