Treasure Him – Colossians 2:1-3

1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Christ Our Treasure

Paul tells the Colossians and all those who might read this letter as it was circulated, that he was struggling, fighting for them. He was locked in a battle on their behalf. He fought this emotional and spiritual battle in his prayers and in his heart. He prays for the Colossian believers, the believers in Laodicea and any who have not yet met him, face to face. He prays to see their hearts comforted by being knit together in love. He is praying and hoping that they might love each other and in that love, one for another, find the comfort that comes with the shared love of God among brothers and sisters in Christ.

He also prays that in that unity and comfort of God’s love, they would come unto the riches of the full assurance of understanding. That they would see the wealth that is theirs through the full assurance of who Christ is, not what the false teachers were trying to make Him into but as he was fully revealed. He goes on and tell them he wants them to acknowledge the mystery of God and the Father and of Christ. This is the greater knowledge, this is the greater revelation it is what God has revealed to us, that Jesus was God in the flesh, that Jesus came to earth to save us. That truly is a mystery we need to acknowledge what could be more of a wonder and miracle that Christ in us the hope of glory?

Paul once again focuses in on Christ, the theme of this letter. He says, “In Christ are hid all the treasures.” All the treasure is in Christ, first in the gift of salvation but then in the wonder of experiencing and knowing Him more and more each day.

Our relationship with Christ is like a mine in which we go down, deeper and deeper every day, finding at each depth more precious treasure than we did when we first began.

Is Christ, My Treasure?

Paul knew that all that was or could be a problem in the churches could be overcome if the children of God just realized how wonderful it was to have the love of their brothers and sisters in Christ. If they would have unity in their churches nothing could come against them and be successful. And most importantly of all, they needed to acknowledge the wonder of God, the Father and to see Jesus as the most valuable treasure given to mankind. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He is worth everything, He is everything.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Illustration: Pliny’s Problem

Pliny, a powerful governor of the Roman Empire once wrote to the Emperor complaining about the problems he had with the Christians.

Pliny: I will banish thee. Christian: Thou canst not, for the whole world is my Father's house. Pliny: I will slay thee. Christian: Thou canst not, for my life is hid with Christ in God. Pliny: I will take away thy treasures. Christian: Thou canst not, for my treasure is in heaven. Pliny: I will drive thee away from men, and thou wilt have no friends. Christian: Thou canst not, for I have a Friend from whom thou canst never separate me. – Pliny (23-79)

Those early Christians understood the precious treasure of knowing Jesus Christ, in him was all they needed. To them He was not just a Sunday morning diversion, a duty or an entertainment. He was their all in all.