Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:25-27
The disciples had left Jesus and embarked in their fishing boat to get to the other side of the lake. But the strong wind and high waves impeded their progress. In fact, they were rowing for about 10 hours and had traveled only about half the distance they intended to go. Tired and scared, they must have wished for Jesus to be with them. They recalled how Jesus saved them from the storm on the lake only a few months earlier. On that occasion, he was with them in the boat and simply commanded the wind to be still, and it was so. But this time, as far as they knew, Jesus was still at the place they left him, several miles away.
So they were surprised when Jesus appeared, miraculously walking on the water toward them. Instead of Jesus, they thought that they were seeing a ghost. This increased their fear because they thought that the appearance of a ghost was an omen of something terrible about to happen.
But nothing terrible was going to happen to them because Jesus was there. He spoke above the whirling of the wind and sound of the surf. “Take courage. It is I.” The familiar voice of Jesus was enough to drive away their fear.
Jesus is close to us. His voice sounds clearly through his promises in the Bible that he is always with us and that he will never leave nor forsake us. No matter how strong the winds of adversity blow in our face or as challenging as the waves of trouble might be in our lives, we can take courage in our Savior’s continual presence. He loves us dearly and assures us that he will help us overcome our circumstances, no matter how great the need or the danger may be.
Take courage. Jesus is with you!
Prayer:
Jesus, lead me to trust your promise that you are always with me to help and encourage me through every ordeal and detail of my life. Amen.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” Isaiah 55:1-5
Do you click on those mouth-watering food pictures on social media? Have you noticed what happens? The companies who sell the food realize that you might buy something, so they arrange to show you more good pictures with links to purchase. They show you reviews of people who have bought, tasted, and enjoyed their food. They invite you to join a group of fans who love their product.
God offers you satisfying, rich spiritual food. He promises you the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation through faith in Jesus. He says you can live without guilt now because he has removed it. God’s food is free for you because Jesus has paid for it.
God invites you to read David’s review in Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
God invites you to see the splendor of people who trust him and to become a fan, no matter where you live. You can trust this offer because God is perfectly holy. You can enjoy this offer because God is love.
What are you waiting for? Listen to God and eat what is good!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for supplying me with my salvation without money and without cost, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Amen.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
People who become Christians in order to avoid hardship are going to be surprised.
Christians suffer hardship in spite of being Christian. They have problems in life, both personal and family troubles. They go through whatever their countries are going through, even war or famine.
Christians suffer hardship because of being Christian. They take moral stands that do not match what is socially acceptable. They believe things that are considered foolish. Sometimes their lives are even in danger.
But it is still worthwhile to become a Christian. How can that be true?
Christians receive the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. God loves them because of what Jesus did for them. Jesus was slaughtered for their sins. They are forgiven. Jesus faced death and hell in their place. They will go to heaven.
God’s love is so powerful that nothing is able to separate Christians from it. Time cannot dim God’s love, and evil things cannot talk him out of it. Through Christ Jesus their Lord, Christians are confident of God’s continuing love.
Does God still love them even when bad things happen to them? Absolutely and completely. Nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus their Lord.
Prayer:
Thank you for your love even through hardship, Lord. Amen.
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” . . . Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. Genesis 41:41-43,46-49
Joseph saw a lot of ups and downs. By the age of thirty, he had been his father’s favorite, then a slave; a trusted servant, then a prisoner. Most of those dramatic changes had been unforeseen, but when God gave Joseph the ability to interpret some important dreams, Joseph realized that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, realized it too, and he put Joseph in charge of making the most of those seven years of abundance.
We can learn a couple of things from the life of Joseph. When we are in the lean years, when things are going poorly, we can be confident that God will also give times of plenty. He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Along with him, he will graciously give us all things. (See Romans 8:32.)
When we are in the abundant years, it is prudent for us not to live in wild abandon, but instead to store things up for the lean years. We do not know how successful that will be, since moths and vermin destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But above all, we listen to the Word of God, and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. (See Matthew 6:19,20.)
Prayer:
When life is a roller coaster, Lord, give me stability in your promises. Amen.
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4,5
I wonder if I should feel guilty. I see all of the people suffering in the worldwide pandemic, and I have enough food. I hear about the increase in domestic violence when people are forced to stay at home, but my marriage seems to improve as I spend more time with my spouse.
God encourages me not to feel guilty when I have enough food. In fact, he encourages me to thank him for providing such abundance even though I don’t deserve it. When I am tempted to take my food for granted, God reminds me to pray before I eat and read his Word after I eat. God gave me this food, so I know it’s good.
God encourages me not to feel guilty when I have good family relationships. Marriage and family are gifts from God, who knows that it’s not good for me to be alone. When I’m honest, I know I don’t deserve unconditional love from parents, spouse, children, or grandchildren, but God provides it and encourages me to be thankful for it. God gave me this family, so I know it’s good.
When I have an abundance of food, I have the wherewithal to help meet the food needs of people in my community. When things in my own family life are good, I have the emotional stability to encourage other people in a loving, godly way. I act from a thankful heart, not a guilty one.
And that’s because God has taken away my guilt by giving me forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. He is the Bread of Life, satisfying my spiritual hunger. He is my brother, and he has brought me into the Christian family. When I’m clear on those facts, I recognize all of his other gifts to me.
Prayer:
Give me the awareness to thank you for my blessings, Lord, and to share them with joy. Amen.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:14-21
When the doctor says you have six months to live, is it okay to pray for a miracle?
Yes, it’s okay to pray for a miracle.
Jesus did miracles. He fed over five thousand people from just five loaves and two fish. He proved to his disciples that he was God.
Jesus is still God, and he still does miracles. People are cured with no medical explanation. People with diseases live much longer than predicted or expected.
Sometimes when Jesus has compassion on you, he heals your sickness. At other times, your sickness lingers, but Jesus still has compassion on you. You can be sure of that because he has already taken care of the greater sickness in your life—the sickness of your sinfulness. Jesus took the punishment for your sinfulness when he was wounded on the cross, suffering hell, and he promises that your sinfulness will not lead to eternal death. Instead, Jesus shows compassion for you and gives you eternal life through faith in him.
God performs miracles every day when he brings people to faith in Jesus. Pray for that miracle. And feel free to pray for the miracle of healing. God may answer that prayer in a way you don’t expect, but it will still be good.
Prayer:
Jesus, let me find healing in your precious wounds. Amen.
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankfulness of praise.
Please note: Worship Service Restart Plans (Bulletin pages 12, 13) Worship f.)Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 virus cases testing positive in our area, worshipers are kindly asked to maintain social distancing, refrain from singing, and wear masks that cover both mouth and nose. Thank you for your consideration.
PASTOR’S WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
O Lord – our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter – we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
OPENING HYMN 339 Today Your Mercy Calls Us
*Sung by soloist.
Please stand.
INVOCATION
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: O God, you reveal your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and kindness. Grant us the full measure of your grace that we may obtain your promises and become partakers of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Be seated.
✠ T H E W O R D ✠
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 55:1-5
Summary: God satisfies our spiritual needs
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
PSALM OF THE DAY 42-43
*For your personal devotion at home.
Refrain
Blessed are they who hope, who hope in the Lord.
As the deer pants for streams of water,*
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.*
Where can I go and meet with God?
Why are you downcast, O my soul?*
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,*
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Refrain
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;*
let them bring me to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God, my joy and my delight.*
I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
SECOND LESSONRomans 8:35-39
Summary: God satisfies our eternal needs
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
VERSE OF THE DAY John 14: 23
M: Alleluia. Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Alleluia.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSONMatthew 14:13-21
Summary: God satisfies our physical needs
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Please be seated.
HYMN 728 Jerusalem the Golden
*Sung by soloist.
SERMONETTE1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
“Find Courage in the Facts”
Fact #1 Jesus’ Resurrection
Fact #2 Jesus’ Return
Fact #3 Our Forever
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Please stand.
APOSTLES’ CREED
*For your personal devotion at home.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker or heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER FOR GROWTH IN FAITH & CHRISTIAN LIVING & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Intercessory prayers listed on page 11.
LORD’S PRAYER
*Spoken by congregation.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
Then Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.
Amen.
Be seated.
CLOSING HYMN 332Go, My Children, with My Blessing
*Sung by soloist.
Announcements
Next week’s theme:
August 23, 2020 11th Sunday after Pentecost
“God Overcomes our Doubts and Fears”
St. John’s Lutheran Church Montello & Emmanuel Lutheran Church Mecan
Updated Response to Worship Concerns Created by COVID-19
July 30, 2020
When will we worship? An outdoor Saturday service is being added to help members worship in a safe environment. This service will replace the Wednesday evening service.
Saturdays @ 4:30 pm (Any St. John’s or Emmanuel members)-Beginning Saturday, August 15
Sunday @ 8:00 am Emmanuel (Emmanuel members)
Sunday @ 10:00 am St. John’s (St. John’s members 55 and older)
Online worship services continue found at stjohnsmontello.org
Where will we worship? Groups should be 50 or less indoors. To provide safe worship experiences, the new Saturday worship service will be held outdoors when weather permits.
Saturday @ 4:30 pm will be an outdoor service on the lawn behind the parking lot of St. John’s. In case of inclement weather, we will move to the sanctuary.
Sunday @ 8:00 am at Emmanuel in the sanctuary
Sunday @ 10:00 am at St. John’s in the sanctuary
How will we worship? Providing a safe worship experience is a high priority for the leaders in our congregations. Because the virus continues to spread, and because of the science regarding singing and speaking, the following policies will be continued and new ones enacted immediately:
Please use the hand sanitizer upon arrival at the worship service.
Masks will currently be optional at all services (see below**) Masks will be available.
Designated seating will be provided indoors to provide for social distancing.
Please bring lawn chairs for the outdoor service. Some seating and a canopy may be available.
The congregation is asked to not sing for the time being.
Services will be shortened to a length of approximately 40 minutes.
A soloist will sing the hymns and any liturgical responses.
Continuous communion will be practiced on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The Saturday before the 2nd and 4th Sundays will also include communion. Family units are encouraged to commune together.
The congregations should exit the sanctuary from the back at the end of the service, taking all belongings including the bulletin along with them.
The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized between services.
**We will abide by any state or local mandates that may change any of these policies
As we hold firmly to the truths of scripture, we know that God continues to keep his promises to us. He has promised the wonderful spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has not, however, promised that things will always remain the same. In the words of our synod president, Mark Schroeder, “we recommit ourselves–as individuals, as congregations, and as a synod–to the mission that God has called us to carry out, trusting that he will bless us in that work.” Let us work together as we move forward as a congregation. Let us help, support, and encourage each other as we gather around God’s Word.
Question or Concerns? Contact your Elders or pastor
Emmanuel Elders: Darrell Buchholz (608) 215-7871, Wayne Stelter (608) 369-1790
St. John’s Elders: Jerre Duerr (608) 697-8706, Jay Eisermann (608) 297-8171, James Wachholz (608) 369-4006 – Pastor Pete Zietlow (608) 408-7830
Our Savior Provides Food
For Both the Body and the Soul
The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – A
God’s Word for Today
Our Savior is a God of mercy and kindness. Our very existence is testimony to that fact. Daily he provides us with all that we need to keep our body and life. He also grants protection from all earthly dangers. In addition, our Savior provides us with spiritual blessings—food for the soul. In his Word we receive the good news of sins forgiven and free salvation.
First Lesson (Isaiah 55:1-5)
What satisfying sustenance does God promise to his people?
What is the imitation bread in which some invest?
To whom do verses 4-5 point?
Second Lesson (Romans 8:35-39)
Suffering might cause us to question God’s love. But in the end, what capability does any suffering have?
What makes us more than conquerors?
Name anything that isn’t covered in Paul’s list of agents that “cannot separate us from the love of God…”
Gospel (Matthew 14:13-21)
How does Jesus show his nature as provider of all things physical?
Which attributes of Jesus shine through clearly in this miracle?
Answers:
In his Word, Jesus promises to give us food and drink that is truly satisfying, for it will quench the hunger and thirst we feel because of our sin. This spiritual food and drink offer us forgiveness of sins and eternal life, a truly satisfying fare!
The imitation bread might look appealing on the outside, but it offers no relief from hunger. Consider the many religious practices performed to make oneself right with God. But we can never know with certainty if we’ve offered enough; therefore, we are never truly satisfied—a most unsatisfactory fare!
The Holy One of Israel must be pointing to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
While Paul indicates that suffering has been around for ages and is generally something we can’t escape, he also states boldly that none of it is capable of separating us from God’s love for us in Christ.
Christ’s victory on the cross makes us conquerors as well.
Paul’s list of agents ends with “nor anything else in all creation.” The only being uncreated is God himself, and it is he who worked and won our salvation. It is therefore reaffirmed that absolutely nothing can come between us and God’s love for us!
Jesus provides for this crowd of more than 10,000 people by miraculously stretching the bread and fish to fill all their stomachs. Compare Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 23:1.
Obviously, as in all of his other miracles, Jesus shows his omnipotence, or almighty power. But note also that Jesus shows his compassion for the people (v14).
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35-37
Not everyone wins in an election. It is the same way in most contests in life—there are winners, and there are losers. Our children often learn this at an early age when they play in little league, flag football, basketball, or some other sport. There is a winner and a loser at the end of each game. If you have ever participated in any type of contest and won, you know the exhilarating feeling that you have had. However, if you have lost, you also know the feeling of having been defeated.
When it comes to the contest of life and our final destiny, the good news for God’s people is that we are winners. Even if things in our lives don’t seem to be going that well, the Bible assures us that God is with us, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
God is for us. He proved it in sacrificing his only Son in our place. He shows it every day as he freely gives us all we need and works all things for our eternal good. He’s with us as he daily forgives us and defends us.
As we encounter personal problems and troubles, as we are faced with our many sins, the fear may arise that the Lord no longer loves us. However, God tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. In him, we win.
Prayer:
My God and Savior, help me face the challenges of my life with the knowledge that you are always with me and that nothing can separate me from your love. Amen.
What do you think when you read or hear the words of our Bible reading for today? The Psalmist said that he loved God’s Word and that he meditates on it all day long. Does that cause a twinge of guilt to arise in your heart? Does it make you think about those times when you have not loved what the Bible had to say about the way you are to live your life? Does it make you think about how little you think about what God says in his Word? The truth is, no one loves all of what the Bible says all the time, and no one thinks about God’s Word as often as they ought.
No one, that is, except Jesus. Jesus loved every single aspect of God’s Word. Jesus perfectly meditated on what God says—every single moment of every single day. And he did this, not just for his own benefit but for yours. The Bible says that Jesus gives you his perfect life as a gift even as he took all of your sins on himself when he died on the cross.
Isn’t that great!? It makes you want to thank him, doesn’t it? How can you thank him? By listening to what he says in his Word and living the way he instructs you there. And, you will discover that the more you read and listen to what he says in the Bible, the more you will fall in love with what he says. You, too, will want to meditate on it all day long.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I praise you that God has declared me holy in his sight on the basis of your perfect life for me. Free me from all that stands between me and you, so that I may meditate upon your word all day long. Amen.
[Jesus said] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44
What do you treasure? Your family? Your stuff? Your teams? Your money? You treasure all sorts of things. Your treasure is what you sink your time into and talk about. It’s what your thoughts turn to again and again. The people you spend time with probably have a pretty good idea what you treasure.
It is certainly easy to see what the man in Jesus’ parable valued. After all, he sold everything he had to get it! He realized that the treasure in that field was more valuable than everything else he had put together.
Jesus told this parable to help us understand that being part of his kingdom, his family, is more valuable than everything else we have put together. Your house won’t last forever. Your car won’t last forever. Your career won’t last forever. Even your relationships won’t last forever. But, the kingdom of heaven will last forever.
So, don’t be fooled. Don’t think that anything or anyone in your life is as valuable as a relationship with your Creator—a relationship only made possible through Jesus and his saving work. Hold on to that relationship more tightly than anything else. Let it be what you sink your time into and talk about. Let it be what your thoughts turn to again and again. You can be sure it will be worth it!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to treasure you and your kingdom most of all. Amen.
Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
