Kellen crossed his arms and shook his head as smoke engulfed his one-man transport. He turned away and stepped off the tracks that connected the two largest cities in the world.
The railway cut through a thick forest. Kellen marveled at some of the trees before he reached for his phone. As he slipped his hand into his pocket, something caught his eye. A sliver of blue glistened through an opening in the trees. He pulled back some branches and stepped into the forest.
Kellen gasped as he was suddenly standing in a new world. The brilliant blue was coming from a rushing waterfall. Beyond the cascade was an endless golden field. A gust of wind swept over the meadow and stirred up a flock of colorful birds that piloted over the waterfall and down to a cluster of luscious green branches.
Kellen’s soul was breathlessly satisfied. He compared the feeling to his immense riches, and the steel utopia he had built for himself, but neither of them compared to the peace that he felt now. For the first time, Kellen felt like he was at home.
“It can all be yours,†said a soft voice. Kellen turned to see a delicate, old man holding a staff twice his height. “It is of more value than anything you can ever achieve,†said the man.
Kellen nodded and looked over the paradise one more time. As he turned and stepped back through the treeline, he repositioned some branches to hide his newly discovered treasure.
. . .
Kellen had sold everything he had and returned to the field. He stepped off the transport and pulled back the branches like he had the day before. He stepped through the brush and into the paradise. “Welcome home,†said the man. • Rafe Emerson Bellers
• Today’s story echoes Matthew 13:44, which is one of several parables Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven, also called the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:31; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19). If we have put our trust in Jesus to save us from sin through His death and resurrection, He promises we are a part of that kingdom (Mark 1:14-15; Colossians 1:3-14). To learn more about becoming a part of Jesus’ kingdom, check out our “Know Jesus” page.
• Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why is it so important that none of our achievements can get us into the kingdom of heaven?
• If we are a part of the kingdom of heaven, we have an inheritance in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-9). Read Matthew 11:28-30 and 28:20, Romans 8, Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Peter 2:9-10, and Revelation 21:1-5. What are some of the promises we have if we are a part of Jesus’ kingdom?
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 (NIV)
Read Verses:
Psalm 73
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