Our theme all this month
has been "Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The Spirit within is
John's ever-flowing River, the Psalmist's solid Rock, and Isaiah's
great shining Light. Finally, we understand that the indwelling Christ
is the Treasure of great worth!
2 Corinthians 4:7, KJV But
we have this TREASURE in earthen vessels that the excellency
(preeminence) of the power (dunamis – ability) may be of God, and not
of us.
The Greek word for "TREASURE” is thesauros,
and it means, "a deposit, wealth; the place of safe-keeping in which
good and precious things are collected and laid up; a casket, a coffer,
or other receptacle, in which valuables are kept; a treasury,
storehouse, repository, or magazine; collected treasures.” It is also
used to speak of the Magi who opened their "TREASURES” for King Jesus;
may we, too, wisely present Him with:
1. Gold – the PRICE of the lifestyle of worship.
2. Frankincense – the PURITY of the lifestyle of worship.
3. Myrrh – the PAIN of the lifestyle of worship.
The Bible explains that this
treasure house beats in our chest—your TREASURE is your HEART (Matt.
6:19-21; 12:35)! An open treasure, an open gift, is an open heart! What
measure of TREASURE, what kind of heart are you laying open before the
King? The Ark of the Covenant in Moses' Tabernacle is another
incredible picture of "Christ in you” (Col. 1:27). It was filled with
TREASURES of great worth (Heb. 9:4):
1. The golden pot of manna – an unlimited provision.
2. Aaron's rod that budded – the kingly and priestly power of resurrection life.
3. The (unbroken) tables of the covenant – complete obedience.
We belong to Christ and are
Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:29). We are His "peculiar (valued) TREASURE
(possession)” (Psa. 135:4 and Ex. 19:5 with 1 Pet. 2:9). "Christ in
you” is a Prophet, a Priest, and a King. He is a great Rock and a great
Light. Indeed, He is the very "image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4)! In Him are
hidden "all the TREASURES of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
Do you know who you ARE "in
Christ”? Do you know what you HAVE "In Christ”? You have died, and your
life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). You and every believer—the
"treasure” He bought with the great price of His own blood (Matt.
13:44-46 with Matt. 27:6-9; 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23)—are of inestimable value
and worth!
See yourself first of all,
then your family, your neighbors, your friends, and your brothers and
sisters in Christ, through HIS eyes! You are, and they are of great
worth!
FURTHER RESOURCE: My notes on the Ark of the Covenant in my original book on The Tabernacle of Moses; AND my booklet, A Vision of Your Worth, available at http://www.kvmonlinestore.org/.