Hidden Treasure
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3
The thought of hidden treasure captures our human imagination. When I first read Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson, my little boy brain could imagine treasure maps marked with an “X,” pirates, and shovels digging in the sand until they hit something hard. I could picture ships sailing for the adventure of discovering buried chests full of gold, coins, and precious jewels. I could smell the salt water and hear the wind blowing in the sails.
Today’s scripture speaks of a different kind of hidden treasure: the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in the person of Jesus. This kind of treasure is far more valuable than any chest of loot ever found. It is actually more valuable than all the earthly gold, silver and precious stones the world has ever possessed.
Paul wrote the book of Colossians to a city where false teachers had begun to proclaim a gospel that elevated a “higher spirituality” than the simple message of Jesus. They taught that Jesus, the Son of God and the Savior of Mankind, was not sufficient. They said there was more to discover beyond Jesus. This teaching began to tear down the truth of the Deity of Christ and caused new believers to question His sufficiency as the Messiah.
So Paul wrote Colossians to combat this false teaching. He wanted believers in Jesus to grasp and enjoy all the power, wonders and beauty found in the person of Jesus. He wanted believers to be confident in His complete sufficiency.
Paul often referred to the “riches” that can be discovered in a living relationship with Jesus. He would often pray that his followers would be able to comprehend and enjoy the full riches of our inheritance as believers in Jesus. (Eph 1:17-21) He taught that these riches are available to all who trust in Christ and receive His Holy Spirit and Word by faith.
Yet so many people seem unable to find these treasures. Why? What makes these riches hard to access and difficult to obtain? Why are they hidden at all?
Paul said it is because these riches are hidden from the world. The wisdom of Jesus is hidden and completely at odds with the wisdom of this world. Like Jesus’ parable of a treasure hidden in a field, the riches of Christ’s wisdom and knowledge are like buried riches. They remain undiscovered and unappreciated by many.
Let’s dig deeper today and discover what kind of treasure we are talking about.
Knowledge is information about our world and how it works. Wisdom is the ability to apply that knowledge in helpful ways to build lives that are healthy, stable and thriving. God has all the knowledge and all the wisdom that can be known.
God’s knowledge is more vast than the universe. He knows everything. God’s wisdom is the pathway to a life of health and significance. His wisdom is a rich reservoir of life giving water for all to enjoy. His wisdom is given for each of His children to find His life and experience His abundant joy. His wisdom is freely available and offered to anyone who wants it (James 1).
Solomon encouraged his son in the Proverbs of the OT to seek wisdom above all things, more than any earthly treasure. He said that wisdom is the principle thing, the highest goal and the one treasure that will bring the greatest meaning and value to our lives.
So how can we enjoy these untold riches and wealth found in God’s wisdom? First we must realize that these treasures are found in the person of Jesus. In Him are hidden all the riches of wisdom and knowledge.
This wisdom is not only hidden FROM THE WORLD, it is also hidden FOR THE DISCOVERY of those who come to Jesus in humility and faith.
Treasure hidden for us to discover. Wisdom is like the greatest treasure chest of all time hidden in the person of Jesus. The Bible is our treasure map. The “X” is marked right over the man, Christ Jesus. He is the goal, He is the prize, He is the destination of the Christian life.
Second, we must search for this treasure. Like the man who sold all he had to buy the field containing God’s treasure, we must seek His treasure first. We need to keep seeking more and more revelation of the majesty and beauty of Christ.
Christ is God’s perfect wisdom. Christ is God’s highest knowledge. Christ is the treasure our hearts are seeking. His wisdom and knowledge are the greatest discoveries our hearts could find.
Trust in the wisdom of Jesus this week. Search for the riches of Jesus, like you would search for a huge chest of buried pirate’s treasure. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ are the most valuable treasures in the universe. Happy Treasure Hunting!
Pastor Tom