From the Ancient Ruins
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also." (Matthew 5:21 NIV)
"Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and
whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17:32-33 NIV)
During the summer of ’76 and soon after graduating high school, I had the
opportunity to travel abroad. Being a young teenager at the time, I did not
fully appreciate the significance of many historical places. Of all the
interesting sites however, one made a lasting impression – the ancient ruins
of Pompeii.
More than likely, you may never have visited Pompeii but seen the unique and
fascinating photos of this once flourishing town. Amazingly, from the
ancient ruins archaeologists have reconstructed every day lives of the
inhabitants of Pompeii. Many artifacts present clues as to what were the
most valued and treasured possessions of its people. Frozen in time are the
houses, objects, paintings, inscriptions and graffiti of the individuals who
once lived there. Recalling one home in particular, food was still preserved
on the table as if it were yesterday. And volcanic ash imprints on many of
Pompeii’s citizens have forever memorialized their final moments on this
earth.
The tale of Pompeii also offers some insight to our Lord’s instruction in
today’s Scripture. Jesus reveals where our treasure is our hearts will be
also and warns us to remember Lot’s wife. Genesis 19:26 describes this
account: “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Some commentators believe she looked back because her heart longed for the
treasures left behind. Whatever the reason, Jesus used her as an example to
relinquish material things of this world.
James 4:14 states, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for
awhile and then vanishes” (NIV). Imagine ourselves as inhabitants of
Pompeii going about our daily routines; then suddenly we vanish. Think for a
moment. If archaeologists could reconstruct our lives, what kind of story
would it tell? What things do we treasure the most? What examples would we
be for future generations to reflect upon the lives we now live?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to store treasures in heaven which can never be
destroyed. Allow our lives be a living testimony to the incomparable riches
of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures
of wisdom and the knowledge of God. In Jesus’ Holy Name we pray. Amen.
Lori Ciccanti