Treasure Hunting

Why when we try to share the ‘good news,’ do we often start with ‘bad news.’  ‘Do you know what will happen to your soul if you die tonight?  You’re going to hell, that’s what!’  The word ‘gospel’ itself means ‘good news’, but is this message good news?  We then tell the ‘good news’ that Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to God.  We don’t have to go to hell, but can make it to heaven.  Whew!  I made it!  This angry God will no longer punish me for eternity.

Is that really good news or are we trying to scare people into heaven?  Over and over the ancient manuscripts which makeup the Bible speak of how much God loves His people.  What happened to the loving God of the ancient manuscripts?

I don’t see Jesus going around telling people that in the Gospels.  I read of Jesus saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  We assume that means repent of sin, but I’m not so sure.  The word ‘repent’ simply means to change one’s mind or way of thinking.  It doesn’t say, ‘Repent from your sins,’ but rather, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

The kingdom of heaven is a positive thing.  There is no sickness in heaven, no abuse or trafficking or broken hearts, disappointment, anger or hatred.  Jesus is bringing the goodness of kingdom of heaven into a corrupted world.  So what do we repent from?  I think its repent from a lack of faith, resigned to the fact that this is all life will ever be and can be nothing more, that no matter what we do, heartache abounds.  Instead, change your mind to the fact that faith in God through Jesus can change this world for the better, bringing the goodness of the kingdom of heaven to earth and an end to its corruption!

Jesus placed no pre-conditions on anyone desiring to come to him.  He often didn’t even mention their sin, and when he did, it was after he blessed them and encouraged them to leave the sinful lifestyle they were in so they can live in the abundance of God’s goodness.  The only ones he ever spoke against were the religious leaders who were supposed to be helping people and instead only made life more difficult for them, constantly throwing the sin of the people in their face so they were humilated and the only way out brought profit and a feeling of superiority to those very religious leaders.

He himself went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed.  He sent the disciples to heal the sick, free them from their addictions, and lighten their load.

Does that mean it’s okay to do wrong?  Of course not, but the law which points out where we go wrong, couldn’t stop people from doing wrong or bring people into relationship with God.  God himself through Jesus loved people, even when they (we, me) were opposed him (and there was a time when I adamantly fought against him which I’ll save for another blog).  We responded to his love by loving him back, and out of that love comes the will and commitment to change ones life for the better.

So where did the good news start with the bad news?  Perhaps theologians or historians can answer that question.  And I’m not saying that it is completely wrong to use that approach.  Sometimes people need a wake up call, and if it leads someone to a relationship with God through Jesus, great!

But where is the love? Yes, I know of tough love – I’m a parent of 4, 3 of whom are teenagers.  But tough love is only used in extreme circumstances.  The ancient manuscripts abound with the gifts showered upon us by a loving God.  So when we tell people about Him, are we showing them love and showering them with gifts?

A few months ago I heard of this technique for telling people about God called ’Treasure Hunting.’  The intent is not trying to get people ‘saved’, but to show them the love of God and bless them.  It often takes people many positive experiences with God before they are ready to enter a relationship with Him.  (If you are in a relationship, I’m sure it took many positive experiences with your partner before you were willing to enter that relationship, and ever more before entering marriage.)  The intent of Treasure Hunting is to create one of those positive experiences.

I won’t go into the details of how it works, but basically we go on the streets to tell people and treat them like God’s treasure that they are (not preaching at them).  I was trained in this technique about a month ago, and been on the streets several times since.  The response has been amazing!  We’ve easily talked with over 100 people in the last month and have not had one single negative encounter, despite most of the people we’ve talked to not being religious.   We’ve run into several later who were so appreciative, and explaining how their lives have already changed.

I find it to be addicting.  Where once I dreaded the idea of going on the streets ‘evangelizing (who wants to tell people bad news?),’ I now can’t wait to start and have to force myself to stop when I have other commitments.  I’m sure this technique isn’t perfect and someone somewhere will have something negative to say about it, but we being the love of God to his treasure, the gospel is once again ‘good news’ and it feels good in soul.