What Jesus Did! 'Just for Joy' — Matthew 13:44

Thursday, July 3, 2025

[Jesus continued teaching about the Kingdom:] "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field."
— Matthew 13:44 NLT

Key Thought

Some things are so precious that we cannot find them; they find us. While we may not have been looking for salvation - either because we grew up around it in our families or because a friend or acquaintance shared it with us - that does not lessen the fact that when we understood its glory, we gave up everything for the sheer joy of being included in God's Kingdom by his grace. Grace motivates with joy. I know that my surrender to the lordship of Christ and the rule of his Kingdom can come with difficulties, my joy at being in Christ far exceeds those difficulties.

Today's Prayer

Holy and kind Father, thank you for bringing me into your Kingdom. I know that my salvation, my being a part of your family, is the work of your grace and sacrifice. Thank you for making me yours. Through your Spirit, reawaken my joy of salvation each day. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 1:3-9
  • Luke 2:10-11
  • Hebrews 12:2-3

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 13:44 NLT — "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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