[Jesus said] "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:44-46)

These are lovely stories, but what do you think happened next? The man has sold all that he has to buy the field. Now he owns a field and a treasure, and literally nothing else. What will he live on?

Okay, maybe he'll sell part of that treasure. But that won't work for the second story. The merchant too has literally nothing left to live on. He has one single pearl, and do you think he's going to sell it again? I doubt it. And you can't eat a pearl. I suppose he's just going to have to die happy!

In both of these stories, the buyer stands for God—specifically, for Jesus, who came into the world to make us His own. We are the treasure He wanted, the pearl He bought. And now that He has us, what? He won't sell us again. He, too, is going to have to "die happy."

And of course that's what He did—because His death and resurrection mean that we belong to Him forever, as God's treasure, God's children. We see His joy when He greets the women who came to the tomb on Easter; the word is literally, "Rejoice!" He will never die again, and He has shared His own everlasting life with us. Rejoice!

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I am Yours forever. Thank You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?

* How did you pay for it—in money, effort, suffering?

* How do you think Jesus regards you, His most expensive purchase?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 17-18    Mark 9:1-29

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