A Rare Find

 "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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13: 44-46

    My great-nephew, Mason, and I love to comb for beach glass along the shores of Lake Erie. This summer, he found the "Hope Diamond of the Beach," as it is known among the experts of sea glass: a piece of red glass. 

    Since I wasn't with him at the time of the great find, he was eager to show it to me. During a visit to his home, he brought out a segregated container in which he keeps his collection. There, in a square by itself, was the prized piece. A deep ruby in color, it even felt uncommonly worthy. Truly a rare find.

    Happy he was to have found it, and for good reason. Red is the most difficult to find. Only one piece in 5,000 found may be red. 

    Mason's treasure reminded me of the parable Jesus told, when He compared the kingdom of heaven to finding a pearl of great price. Just as Mason has multiple pieces of other colors, there are many false hopes that may shimmer like red glass along the shore, but they are counterfeit, empty and worthless. 

    There is only one way to eternal life and I am happy to say that Mason has found it in Christ Jesus. John 14:6 plainly says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Those are the emphatic words of Jesus, full of grace and truth.

    If you have found life in Christ, then rejoice for you are very rich indeed. Sell everything you have - leave it all behind - and follow Him. You have found incomparable riches!

    If you are combing for the truth, come to Jesus. Only He laid down His life for you. Only He left the throne behind, donned the clothing of mankind and bridged the gap that lay between heaven and earth. Only He forgives sins and grants new life. Only He loves you.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16