Treasures in Heaven
“The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city,
and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”
John 4: 28-29
"And when he was gone forth into the way there came one running,
and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal,
Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,
One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”
Mark 10: 17-22
One day in the heat of the noonday sun a Man sat wearied with His journey upon a well. From there He saw the lone figure coming towards Him. A woman of Samaria was coming to fill her water pot. Why had she come alone and not with the other women who would come to the well when it was cooler? Could it be that she would not have been welcome company among them? Her life, you see, and her morals were highly questionable.
She talked with the Man at the well – Why would He, a Jew talk with the likes of her, a Samaritan woman? (Jews and Samaritans usually didn’t have any dealings with each other.) But this Man was different! He told her He could give to her living waters so she would never thirst again. He spoke to her about being satisfied and fulfilled. Something she knew nothing of but probably longed for judging by the manner of her living.
They spoke together of worship and soon she discovered that this Man knew all about her and to her astonishment He spoke as He did because He was none other than the promised Messiah.
At last she found in Him a Man who satisfied all the longings of her heart and with joy in her heart she left her water pot and returned to the city to tell the men she knew about her new found Lord and Saviour.
Leaving her water pot signified that she had found something more important. A new life for her had just begun and she returned to tell others who knew her well of the Man from whence this life came.
~~~~~
Somebody else came to the Lord Jesus one day but under totally different circumstances. A young wealthy man wanted to know something. He had an important question to ask of the Lord Jesus, who was indeed the only One qualified to answer it correctly:
“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
That seemed a reasonable question enough and the Lord responded by highlighting the Commandments to do with our relationships with one another. “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.” He confidently affirmed. How very special this young man was. So full of promise, and “then Jesus beholding him loved him”.
Could anyone have been closer to the heart of the Lord at this time? Could anyone have been closer to having the very best that God could give? It was now time to address an area in this man’s life that was hindering him –
“One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
(See Mark 10: 17-22.)
The Lord knew that this man’s problem was the great possessions he had, (or rather they had him!) Though he probably loved the Lord Jesus, he could not be persuaded to let his wealth go. Though he loved the Lord Jesus, he loved his great possessions a little bit more!
Sadly, the young man walked away from the Lord and kept his riches, and sadly we never read of him again!
The woman learned that the joy the Lord Jesus gave to her could not be bought with earthly wealth. He gives His peace and joy freely when we trust in Him and Him alone!
