There are many things that make knowing Jesus of all-surpassing value. But for Jesus, there is one thing in particular that makes knowing him of greater value than everything else we possess – the reality of His final judgement. This subject, about which we appear to be so shy, causes Jesus no embarrassment at all. To Jesus, his coming judgement of all people makes knowing him and being in his kingdom today worth the joyful loss of all we own.
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
