After Mary’s scary episode where she and Joseph “lost” the Son of God, when they found and heard Jesus in the temple give His reason why He did what He did, the Bible says, “they did not understand…but His mother kept all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51-52). We treasure things and people because of significance. Christians ought to cherish above all else:
Young people who grow into faithful Christians. Paul picked Timothy to be a “true son in the faith” (1 TIm. 1:2). Imagine what Timothy learned by following and imitating Paul, but imagine what Paul cherished about Timothy (read 1 & 2 TImothy). John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). The growth of children into faithful Christians should be a joy to watch and a diligent effort!
People convicted by truth who changed their lives. Can you imagine someone who heard that Saul of Tarsus was converted to Christ (Acts 9:19-22). Don’t you know that it was a source of amazement for Ananias who baptized him. Yet, all men can glorify God and say, “If God can do it for Saul, He can do it for this person…” What a treasure to realize the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16).
People committed to being loving and faithful. Even after the sharp contention of Acts 15 over John Mark, Paul didn’t stop loving John Mark, and Barnabas didn’t stop being the “son of encouragement.” Both men continue to work and love and forgive because they were committed to the Lord. Christians are different because our Lord makes us different and that’s something to treasure!
A church family who is our glory and our joy. Paul spent a short time with the Thessalonian church. In that short time, they became dear to one another so much so that Paul said, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). At the Day of Judgment, Paul said, “I’ll be looking for you, Thessalonians.” Churches become dear to us because of commonality of experiences, joys, sorrows, trials, afflictions, and the commitment to the gospel. If we’re not looking for the faithful at the Judgment, what are we doing and what are we treasuring that needs to change?
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