Proverbs 2:4. if you seek [wisdom] like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
Have you ever seen people at the beach with metal detectors? A few days ago I was at the ocean. Walking around on the beach there was a man with a metal detector searching for hidden treasure. Maybe a rare coin had washed up on shore, or maybe someone’s lost diamond ring. People with metal detectors are looking for something valuable but hidden.
Wisdom is like that. It is valuable but hidden. As we keep saying, nobody is born wise. We are born sinful and simple. We aren’t born fearing God. We aren’t even born as blank slates, tabula rasa. We are born caring about ourselves alone. Far from God in thought and deed. Enemies. Children of wrath.
Therefore, we have to find wisdom. We have to search for it like buried treasure.
Everyone is chasing after something. Everyone is searching for a “treasure” to make their life feel good. We are all in the pursuit of happiness. Happiness through authenticity. Follow your heart. Be your true self. Happiness through freedom. Don’t let anybody tell you what to do. Don’t let anyone stand in your way. Happiness through consumerism. You deserve it. Buy it. Fill the void with things.
But these worldly treasures are not the hidden treasure of God’s wisdom. There is no fear of God, no standing in awe of his holiness and transcendence, no love of his love, no gratitude for his grace. The treasures of this world are completely free of mercy and grace, dependent on your self-efforts alone.
The good news is that by his grace and mercy Jesus has sought after us as his hidden treasure. Like the woman who lost her coin, the shepherd who lost his lamb, the father who lost his son, Jesus came looking for us. Found us. Held us tight. Joined his being to ours. And makes us his found treasure. Like the man who found a treasure in a field and then sold all he had to buy that field, Jesus found us and gave all he had to purchase us, redeem us, rescue us. That’s how much he loves us.
Now we must seek this true wisdom, the wisdom of the love of Christ. Hidden IN us by our union with Christ. Because wisdom looks like the cross it’s not always easy to see. Our flesh wants to make wisdom less sacrificial, less unconditional, less demanding. But the hidden wisdom of Christ and his cross, his unconditional love and kindness always sends us out searching for that lost coin, that lost lamb, that lost son or daughter who needs to see the way home.
You: What things have you made your treasure instead of Christ?
You in Christ: You are the treasure Christ sought after and gave up everything for.How does knowing this inspire you to seek for his unconditional love, even when it seems hidden?
Christ in you: Who has God been nudging you to seek after with the love of Christ?
Pray: Father, knowing you is the best treasure ever! Help me to search for your love in the cross of Jesus and to search for others to love, knowing that you love me no matter what. Amen.
To Live is Christ 