For some children (ok, for some adults too), “Christmas season” is a code term for “hunting season” — as in “let’s hunt through all the closets and crevices in the house to find unwrapped Christmas presents.
Even as a child, that was never my temptation. But one year I did find myself outside a store, looking in a window at the checkout where my parents were purchasing my Christmas presents. Naively (foolishly), I knocked on the window to catch their attention and when they turned gave them a big grin and wave. (Yah, I wasn’t the brightest kid!) I almost didn’t get any Christmas gifts that year.
Whether it is the search for Christmas gifts, advanced academic degrees, job promotions, new vacation ventures, or even ancient buried bounties, the desire for treasure is a common pursuit. The thrill of the quest and the delight of unexpected financial gain have motivated many pursuits of various treasures.
What is sometimes forgotten is that some treasures are hidden in plain sight. The “commonness” of the treasure and the easy availability of it entices us to overlook its value. Consider the greatest treasure ever “placed” on earth:
“…in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
The greatest treasure is not financial gain, but wisdom, as the newly-crowned King Solomon learned (1 Kings 3:5-15). And the wisdom that empowered Solomon is available to all men in the person of Christ.
Yes, wisdom is “hidden” but it is hidden in Christ — all the resources for wisdom and living are readily found in Jesus Christ. Paul means us to understand that while wisdom and knowledge are stored in Christ, those treasures are meant to be discovered. Jesus is the open “hiding place” of the great treasure of wisdom and knowledge. And not just some wisdom is found in Him, but all the treasures that emanate from wisdom and knowledge are available in Him.
I am not the source for my own wisdom. The world system is not the source of wisdom for me. Education is not the source of my wisdom. Philosophy is not my source of wisdom. Christ alone is the “map” to genuine wisdom and knowledge; we will find wisdom only in Him. But when we go to Him, we will find all the treasures we might want or need.
Therefore let us bow down and worship Jesus Christ. If we are impressed with the scholarship of man and the achievements of scientific knowledge, then let us not play the fool by trumpeting a tiny chirp and ignoring the thunder clap of omniscience. Jesus alone is worthy of our highest admiration. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust. He can show us the Father (Matthew 11:27). He can give us irresistible wisdom (Luke 21:15). He can see how to make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). None of his judgments about anything is ever mistaken (John 8:16). He teaches the way of God with infallible truthfulness (Matthew 22:16). Trust him. Admire him. Follow him. [John Piper]
If you want a treasure this Christmas season, pursue wisdom and knowledge. And if you want wisdom and knowledge, the only place you will find all the wisdom and knowledge that will be adequate for living is in Christ.
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Words of Grace 