Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

Jesus clearly points to two possible courses of life, two possible paths: either to store up earthly goods or to store up heavenly treasure.  Our heart has room to embrace only one of these possibilities.  If we cling to the world, we cannot cling to heaven.  There is only one of these options that can truly satisfy.  

The earthly goods that consume so much of our time are both perishable and insecure.  The moth devours the garment. The metals rust and tarnish.  The things that one may work hard to obtain, the thief steals.  Man can never guarantee his hold on anything he may possess.  He has it today, but he is never sure of tomorrow.

Death and decay cannot destroy the treasure of heaven.  It’s most prized jewel is the very presence of God.  God promises an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away. (1 Peter 1:4)  The lines of a favorite Jamaican chorus: “My home is in heaven, just waiting for me, and when I reach there how happy I’ll be.  My home is in heaven.  No rent to pay.  My Jesus paid it, paid it all for me.” 

Where is your treasure?  What is the object of your desires?  Where do you place your trust?  Where do you seek security and consolation?  Worldly possessions can easily turn our hearts away from Jesus.  Do you try to combine devotion to these with loyalty to Christ?  Or, are you exclusively devoted to Him?

By George Slover
 

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)

On Mount Olivet, a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem, Jesus gave his last instructions to his Apostles.  Then suddenly he was taken in a cloud.  Luke is the only one to record the details of the ascension of Jesus.  The Lord’s attempts to prepare his disciples for his departure during his earthly ministry are recorded by other gospel writers.  

Luke records: “while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”  One can only imagine how they must have felt by the sudden departure of their spiritual leader.  Jesus would set them lose in a sin broken world to herald a message that would be rejected by the majority.  "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)  I suspect they had a knot in their stomach when he disappeared.

The ascension of Christ presents a problem for the opponents of Christianity because it is inseparably connected to His resurrection.  Jesus left nothing behind in this world.  He never wrote a book. He did not leave behind an estate.  He did not even leave behind even one artifact to be placed in a museum.   He left nothing but an empty tomb and twelve men to testify of his life.  Had Jesus simply died he would be no better than Confucius or Mohammed.  However, by His ascension, Jesus was fully enthroned as Lord and Christ! In heaven He is exalted to a position of highest honor and authority. (Acts 2:32-36) 

In addition Luke records: that two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."  Though the Master has been taken away, he will come again in a manner more splendid and a form more glorious!  All is not lost!  He’s coming back!  He will return at an unexpected time!

In several parables Jesus taught that those who are wise will prepare for the unexpected appearance of the bridegroom or the return of the master. (see Matthew 25)  His ascension is a reminder to his disciples that they have work to do while he is away.  Only those who have zealously prepared for His return will be blessed.

George Slover

 

"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:28)

In vivid terms Job describes (see Job 28:3) the way of those who mine precious metals.  Man will hazard his life in search of precious ore.  But, where is man’s success in pursuit of wisdom?  He can dig and blast away, but true wisdom is beyond his reach. True wisdom is of incomparable value.  Man cannot estimate its worth.  Its price is far above gold and rubies.  It cannot be discovered by man’s intuition.  It is the property of God alone.  (Job 28:12) It had to be revealed!

The wisdom from God contains two key elements is the 1) “fear of the Lord” and 2) “abstaining from evil”.  True wisdom reminds us that it is man’s obligation to live in the fear of God.  Man’s life on earth is fragile and quickly moving toward eternity.  We were created for higher purpose than to pursue the temporary.  Solomon said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

True wisdom protects us from destructive behavior – “to depart from evil is understanding.”  Sin will not only destroy the soul eternally, but can disrupt relationships in this life – families, churches, communities, and even your own sense of worth.  God’s wisdom points to abundant living, because it is in harmony with our design and purpose.

True wisdom is founded upon recognition of God’s sovereignty.  It gives us a true basis for faith and hope and promises special blessings to those who pursue it.  Thankfully, God revealed his mind to us so that that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." (1 Corinthians 1:31)

By George Slover
 

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:8)

Here the Lord is obviously not speaking of the blood pump, but of the seat of one’s affections.  “Pure” means to be “clean” or “free from pollution”.  The Pharisees thought of clean hands, but Jesus insists on purity of heart.

Those who are clean in heart are totally transparent and have no selfish aims.  “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith”, (1 Timothy 1:5)  “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)  “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,” (2 Timothy 1:3).  Those who are pure in heart have no aim, but to serve the Lord.
  
For one to be pure in heart one must develop a spiritual mindset.  God urges us to control the desires of our fleshly body ( II Corinthians 6:16) by focusing on the inward man.   By cultivating a spiritual heart, one develops a keener sense of what is truly important which helps one to make wise decisions.

The pure in heart have replaced worldly ambitions with a complete devotion to God’s will.  The unclean heart of evil thoughts has been purged by a love for God and of those things that please Him.  It is a heart of single minded devotion to God.  

The pure in heart have developed a heavenly vision.  With such a vision, one treasures eternal things more than earthly things.  “To see God” literally means to gaze upon with wide opened eyes.  It carries the idea of fellowship or experience.  This vision should move us toward a moral likeness to God and greater empathy with His cause.  

Only the pure in heart will see God.  “Their hearts are free from defiling fantasies and are not distracted by conflicting desires and intentions.  They are wholly absorbed by the contemplation of God”.  (Dietrich Bonheoffer) 

By George Slover

"Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart." (Psalms 40:7-8)

The above expression is also repeated in Hebrews 10:7, 9.  The Hebrew writer applies these prophetic words to the sacrifice of Jesus.  These words not only describe the Lord’s willingness to be sacrificed for the redemption of man, but also describe every phase of his earthly existence!

The will of God was the chief thought of his heart.  At the tender age of twelve Jesus’ desire was to please God.   When Joseph and Mary found him in the temple in the midst of the teachers, his answer to them was, “"Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49)  The heart of the Messiah was revealed (Matthew 3:15) at his baptism, at his temptation (Matthew 4:4), and on and on.  His daily, hourly work was to do the will of the Father.  (John 5:19)  

The will of God was the supreme joy of his heart.  It was because of his generous offering that man is given the opportunity of sanctification and salvation.  Because of his sinless life he perfectly filled up the plan of God for human redemption.  Without one charge of guilt against him, he suffered a criminal’s death.  This he did joyfully (Hebrews 12:2) knowing what it would accomplish.

As his disciples we are called to follow his steps. (I Peter 2:2)  The will of God must be our consuming passion.  No matter what we may suffer, we must do it joyfully knowing that our reward is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:11, 12)

George Slover