John 1:35-41 -- On Finding Treasure

"Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."

John 1:35-41

This reminds me of 3 Nephi when the people had seen the Christ and they "did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself..." (3 Nephi 19:3).  ... I think overall the idea shared among the two selections is that the discovery of the Savior is so amazing that you immediately want to share it with those that you love.

And really, think about that.  When we find a new group or show or book or place that we love, we want to share it.  Typically, even our favorite thing just isn't quite as good if we can't share it or talk about it with someone.

In so many ways, that's what God is... and more, of course, but definitely that delightful thing that we find that is so surpassingly good that we want everyone else to have it too.  No wonder Andrew left John the Baptist to follow Jesus, and no wonder he told his brother.  This is that treasure that we sell all that we have to get (Matthew 13:44).

Sometimes our devotion to this best thing means that we don't have as much time to dedicate to other people, like Andrew had less time for John the Baptist, and sometimes it means that we actually have to give up something, like the woman taken in adultery was asked to do, or even Martha who was worried about other things.  When we find something this good, it has to move to the top of the list, and other things are going to move down or fall off the list entirely, and that's okay.  It's us making our lives what we truly want, and valuing things properly.

We get into trouble sometimes when we freeze up and can't make choices.  We can't let go of things, which might lead to hoarding, and might also lead to spiritual paralysis.  As we read in Joshua, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve," and if we're frozen and unable to make that choice, then we're in trouble, because there is no neutrality here.  Not choosing God is by default choosing something else to come first in our lives--even if it is only our own uncertainty.

Today, to shake ourselves out of uncertainty and to help ourselves make a definite and positive choice, let's get on our knees before the Lord and tell him all that we're concerned about and whatever is holding us back.  As we trust God, and learn more about him, he will help us to see through the confusion, to see the true value of the gospel in our lives, and help us to let go of lesser things, claiming the treasure of God and his gospel in our lives, and the privilege of sharing it with others. :)