It’s called La Cuesta Encantada — Spanish for “The Enchanted Hill.” Half a kilometer above the sea, the fabulous buildings that make up the Hearst Castle spread across 127 acres. 56 bedrooms, 61 baths, 19 sitting rooms, gardens, swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, and private airfield make up the incredible 270,000 acre estate, including the world’s largest private zoo.
But Hearst Castle’s richness is nothing compared to the infinitely greater realm from which Jesus came. "All things were made for Him and through Him" (Colossians 1:6) — the vast reaches of the galaxies were His and all that is in them — millions of enchanted hills and so very much more.
For us Christ abandoned it all. He was born in a tiny country, to a despised people, to a poor peasant family, rumored to be an illegitimate birth and hunted by soldiers seeking His life. He had "no majesty that we should look at Him, no beauty that we should desire Him" (Isaiah 53:2). He died a condemned criminal, stripped and abandoned on a cross.
He did it voluntarily. He planned it. Why? To make us rich so we could share with Him as joint heirs to the riches of the new heavens and earth, and the treasure of life forever.
It is a thought to exalt our minds. But it is also a truth to melt our hearts, and to move us to action. "But as you excel in everything... see that you excel in this act of grace also."
Lord, thank you! Help me to know the richness of your grace and to be moved to generosity by it. Amen.
Go Deeper — Reflect on the significance of this passage. Its goal was to motivate giving to others and a generous, giving approach to life. How can you give more of the richness of His grace to others?
Consider This — view the short video Treasure.
Photo Credit: Kien Do