God Loves Messy People

“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.” Matthew 13:44-46 MSG

For years I was taught that these stories were about when you find out about Jesus you need to do all you can, give up everything if you have to get lay a hold of Jesus in your life.

But we can’t earn our way into the kingdom. Our messiness, our sinfulness gets in the way.

However recently as I’ve read and studied these passages, I have come to the realization that theses parable are not about us doing what we have to do to get the kingdom, but rather what Jesus has done to get us! Grace is not about what we can earn, but rather what we receive: the gift of God through Jesus.

You and I are the treasure buried in the field, and Jesus gave up all that he had to gain the field so that he could unearth us! You and I have been covered up by so much dirt and debris put on us by the world. The true treasure that we are has been hidden, but Jesus gave up all he had to recover you and me!

You and I are the pearl of great price. How are pearls made? They are created by bits of irritating debris or parasites getting into the oyster. The oyster creates a barrier around the irritating object to protect its inner soft tissue. Over time this becomes a pearl. It is a rare and beautiful object, but again like the treasure, hidden by the world.

You and I are the pearl and the merchant who travels over great distances is Jesus who gave his all for us. He didn’t care how unclean and messy our lives were, he saw what was to come!

Jesus is not afraid or ashamed of our messiness, our problems and struggles. He came to enter into our messiness so that he could redeem our messiness. He took our messiness onto himself and bore the price for our sin and shame and rejection:

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 MSG

At the cross our messiness was dealt with. God allowed him to take our punishment. He stood in our place. That means our messiness doesn’t have to control us anymore. You and I can trust that He will not reject us or condemn us. He does not want us to fear him or hide ourselves from him. He LOVES us. We can trust Him to forgive us and help us become the person He created us to be. Let Him help you today. Put your faith and trust in His love for you today.