in a field...

In the eye of the beholder...

Isn’t that the famous saying? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Have you ever sought out land for purchasing? Have you ever purchased a home? Was it a fixer upper?

A canvas is sitting in place waiting for the brush strokes to fall upon it. The caresses of each sashay of color delights the artist as the piece awaits the final touches. The vision comes to life once it is upon the stock of the material and can be shared with the world. But the message of it can still be hidden...

Pearls of wisdom can be found throughout the bible. Jesus often spoke of them in parables to get people to chew upon it. Too often the message would go over their heads. Yet, it was needed to fulfill scripture. “And the disciple came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted (Matthew 13: 10-11 NASB).’”

Meticously headed down the trail on my bike, I find a vast scene unfolding before me that causes me to pause for a moment of truth. The path winds back inland, but at this particular time it breaks along the ledge of a small ridge that leads to a view of the lake and setting sun. The skyline is a mix of blues, purples, reds, and even deep oranges. The trees across the way are stretching their brushes to capture the last bit of light before evening sets in. The reflection stemming off of the water multiplies the sky from ceiling to floor. Yes even the breeze cashes in and brings a slight hint of bbq being cooked somewhere around the lake.

Now, I’m not the steady handed artist who can create the scene on canvas. It would be a poor attempt at best. My plight is to put it to words and create a mental image in your mind of my interpretation. Jesus saw a field and the man who sowed good seed in it (Matthew 13: 24 NASB). He goes on to explain what happened to the field. The crowd and the apostles didn’t quite grasp the meaning of the story however insightful it was.

So Jesus began to explain the hidden meaning of the story to His disciples because it was opened to them to know these utterances (Matthew 13: 35 NASB).

Life is full of mystery and intrigue. It reveals treasures along the way. At some point we go all in after finding that One gift and possess it. It is the fortune sitting in a field waiting to be discovered.

For those who follow the Oak Island mystery on the History channel, it too is a place full of discovery. Over many centuries, people have walked, sailed, and spoke of the island as just a normal place shrouded in folklore and misguided hunters. But to the ones who have eyes to see, no matter how dim it may be, they’ve gone all in on it and discovered untold histories that have been laying in wait...

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matthew 13: 44 NASB).” God’s kingdom is a hunt. Once it is discovered, you bury it and then go back on the hunt again, but this time you go deeper.

Many times we are told not to judge a book by it’s cover, that you actually have to open it and read some pages to find out what is being told. We are heaven’s books and the Author of our faith has written a beautiful story! Be like the disciples in the time of Jesus, ask for the hidden mysteries. Ask to see. Ask to know. Ask to understand. Shall we remain blind and dumb forever?

Godspeed, The JourneyMan

Ps. Today’s story comes from a search and not always seeing what is presented. But looking for more than what is being shared. Is there a treasure to be found in this encounter? Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Matthew 13: 10-11 NASB “And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.’”

Matthew 13: 24 NASB “Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.’”

Matthew 13: 35 NASB “...I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

Matthew 13: 44 NASB “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”