URC Daily Devotion 15 January 2026
St Matthew 13: 44 – 46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Reflection
I can imagine the excitement and joy of detectoring – discovering a Roman or mediaeval coin. And you begin to imagine what else might be there. Or will it be just some mediaeval Coke tin! It’s a bit like childhood fishing. You sit there for hours and the fish are (wisely) deliberately ignoring you. Then one takes the bait. Yes!! What do you do then? Put it back in the river – and go home? Of course not, you stay there. You’re bound to catch more…
This is what Kingdom discoveries are like. It’s when you’re not expecting it that the wonder and joy and treasure of the Kingdom breaks into your life, releasing unexpected possibilities. What do we do when this happens? Do we say: “At last! I’ve found faith. I’m content now.” Or do we say, ‘God has more truth and light to break forth from God’s word’. And we continue searching and exploring, trying to detect the treasure and pearl of God’s Kingdom at work, in Jesus, through the creator Spirit, bringing flashes of discovery and wonder into our life of faith, inspiring, encouraging and motivating us and others to keep going when the going gets tough.
Our life among the people of faith, and listening to murmurings of the Spirit in the wider community, are ultimately all about providing these opportunities, these moments – for ourselves and for those who unexpectedly join us – for new discoveries, for wonder, and to be ‘surprised by joy’.
Listen to J.S. Bach’s cantata, Jesu, meine Freude, (‘Jesus, priceless treasure’) to capture some of this wonder. It’s what R.S.Thomas’ wonderful poem celebrates: ‘I have seen the sun break through/ to illuminate a small field/ for a while, and gone my way/ and forgotten it. /But that was the pearl/ of great price, the one field that had/ treasure in it. I realize now/ that I must give all that I have/ to possess it…’
Prayer
Spirit of God,
in moments of searching and exploring,
keep my senses alert
to find, in all around me, newness of joy and wonder
in the love of Jesus, my priceless treasure.
Wisdom of God, may pearls of insight, truth and grace in Jesus
capture my heart and my imagination anew
so that my faith may be enlarged,
my perspective on your work in the cosmos sharpened
and my commitment to follow Jesus deepened. Amen.