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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Dig Deeper Where You Are
Article by Rubel Shelly
Do you know where your buried treasure is hidden? Sometimes our greatest treasures are right under our noses at home.
An Amazing Find
Article by Russ Lawson
Finding more than we are looking for! Russ Lawson talks about the origin of the word serendipity and asks how we will use these blessings in our lives?
Treasure Hunters
Article by Patrick D. Odum
What are you searching for? Patrick Odum writes about Alaska, Skagway, gold, searching, treasure, and the Kingdom of God.
Finding Joy in Sacrifice
Article by Alan Smith
How much joy do you get out of sacrifice? Sacrifices that allow us to share in the life of God should bring us joy.
See All 5 Related Resources about Matthew 13:44

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 3, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Attention to Teaching' (He. 2:1-4)
"Dear Father, Help me to pay close attention to all of your teaching, lest I drift away from it. How shall I escape if I neglect so great a salvation?..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Historical Intersection with Gallio'
"But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Isaiah 46:4
"Even to your old age and gray hairs, I AM he, I AM he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 4:13-15
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!