May 19

“In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you…” —1 PETER 1:3-4

The nature of treasure in heaven is not specified, but presents an interesting dilemma. It is in heaven we store up treasure, so if there are treasures to be gained, there are also treasures to be missed. That leads us to wonder what will be the benefit of gaining heavenly treasures and the disadvantage of not having accumulated them. We may, of course, only speculate, but as heaven is to be so “other-worldly”, we may be unable to comprehend fully even if we were told. 

I did once hear the interesting idea that treasure and reward in heaven may be on the basis of a greater appreciation for Jesus Christ. Two people may look at a work of art and see exactly the same thing, or listen to a symphony orchestra and hear exactly the same music, but with a completely different level of appreciation. The one whose appreciation is limited does not consciously feel any lack. He simply looks at the painting or listens to the music and moves on to something else. The other person may be lost in rapture at what he sees or hears, and finds deep, inner pleasure and meaning in the artistry. He is enriched with an appreciation unknown to the other person.

Perhaps in heaven there will be people whose appreciation of Jesus Christ while they lived on earth will differ from others. Those with less appreciation will not be conscious that their capacity is less, and may live in the shallows of those whose love and appreciation for Christ is all consuming. Whatever may be true, to lay up treasure in heaven is to enjoy forever the consequences of a disposition toward God, concern for His will, His interest and His pleasure. 

The writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore, Holy Brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1). If we are in Christ, then we share in the heavenly calling, and the more we fix our thoughts on Jesus, the more we learn, the more we love and the more we truly live. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). In loving Jesus with all our hearts, minds and souls, He becomes our life. For many Christians, appreciation of the life of Jesus Christ is utterly indefinable.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I pray my thoughts will always be fixed on You. Whatever our heavenly treasure, it is enough for me to be with You. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: How would I describe what I feel for Jesus?