This summer, soccer fans from around the world have traveled to America to cheer on their teams. As they’ve arrived, they have brought an infectious joy. They’ve not only enjoyed the sport, but their enthusiasm has had a ripple effect in communities and across social media. Fans who have only visited the U.S. occasionally have posted their reactions to foods such as Taco Bell and 7-Eleven Big Gulps, as well as to the excitement of meeting new people. Fans have hosted watch parties for their home nations, and people have celebrated being together. Even fans from countries such as Scotland, who lost before the knockout round, spread joy to Boston and Miami and communities in between.
On Sunday, July 26, we meet similar characters. In Jesus’ parable of the treasure and the pearl in Matthew 13:44-46, both characters were on a journey. They knew what they were looking for before they left. When they found the treasure or the pearl, they were willing to sacrifice everything to keep it.
World Cup fans knew what they were looking for before they arrived for the games. Their attitudes were contagious and brought people together in unique ways.
Do we greet and expect God’s kingdom with that same kind of enthusiasm? Does our search for Jesus attract that kind of community?
Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash