RaptureChrist Newsletter January 15, 2003

V RaptureChrist Newsletter
March 1, 2003

The Rooster and the Jewel

A rooster, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: "If your owner had found you, and not I, he would have taken you up, and have set you in your first estate; but I have found you for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world."

"The Rooster and the Jewel" is one of Aesop's fables. Aesop was a Greek writer who lived over 500 years before Christ. Jesus probably knew these Greek writings and sayings of old as we see that He used to teach in parables, using common examples of daily life.

In this fable, the rooster represents foolish people who do not value a true treasure. They only think of putting food in their stomachs and living for today.

Jesus warned us about this type of people when He said:

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

The Kingdom of Heaven

In contrast, the kingdom of heaven is for people who have an appreciation for fine things.

Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

This merchant was able to appreciate valuable things. He realized it was a pearl of great price, and that he had to do all in his power to obtain it.

This is the kind of person that will enter the kingdom of heaven. Entering heaven requires sacrifice, and we must deny ourselves immediate "pleasures" to obtain this treasure. In the long run, it will prove to be a worthwhile effort, because there is nothing else to compare the joy of entering heaven, or the anguish of being cast down to hell.