Which Is the Treasure: Jesus or the Sacraments?

The season of Lent is once again at hand. It is observed by many Christians and receives special attention in Lutheran and Catholic circles. Traditions can often serve a good purpose in our spiritual lives. At the same time, they can also become entrenched in such a way that we are no longer able to view them objectively. The teaching about the sacraments is a good example of a church practice that can "take on a life of its own" after centuries of tradition. Where do the sacraments fit into the life of a believer? A Christian must be careful to view the sacraments through the lens of Scripture rather than only through the lens of tradition.

Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) In other words, you will spend a lot of time thinking and talking about whatever it is you have made your treasure. Imagine someone having a treasure chest full of gold coins. What if he spent more time talking about the treasure chest than about the gold itself?

This can happen to any of us, including Lutherans and Catholics when it comes to the sacraments. They can get overly preoccupied with the treasure chest. It is an easy mistake to make. I have seen it firsthand. Some people spend an inordinate amount of time talking about the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Granted, those are important things which our Lord gave His disciples. They are signs and seals of the treasure. But they pale in comparison to the real treasure, namely, Christ Himself.

Obviously, there are many Lutherans and Catholics who love the Lord and who view the sacraments as a treasure chest rather than the Treasure. Not all of them, however, are able to make that distinction. Some of them have a pastor or priest who talks about the sacraments as much or more than he talks about Christ's death on the cross for our sins. Some religious leaders have been guilty of elevating a treasure chest above the Treasure.

How do you know if someone is thinking more about the treasure or the chest? Just listen to him speak. Jesus said, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) When individual congregations decide to form into corporate institutions, they can develop a self interest as an organization to promote the treasure chest at least as much as the gold. After all, they believe they hold the keys to the chest. No keys – no gold. But what actually gives us access to Jesus…is it only the sacraments of the church, or is it faith in Christ in your heart?

Lutherans and Catholics interpret the words of Jesus literally when He said, "Take and eat, this is my body." (Matthew 26:26) That eating and drinking happens only in those brief moments when a Lutheran or Catholic is attending communion. Is there anything in the Bible that shows how a person can enjoy that same treasure all day everyday? Keep reading