One of my favorite scenes in the movie comes near the end when Red,
Andy’s best friend in the prison, is finally paroled after 40 years of incarceration. Before he
escaped, Andy gave Red specific instructions about how to reconnect with him
after Red got out. Go to a certain farm outside the town of Buxton, Maine. Look
for a field with a big oak tree at the end of a stone wall. Find a large
volcanic rock that seems out of place, and look under it.
Red hitchhikes and walks for hours until he finds the farm, the field,
the tree, and the rock. And buried under the rock was a metal box Andy left for
him, with money and directions on how to find him in Mexico. The final scene of the movie shows the two friends reunited in freedom.
Imagine if Andy Dufreyne had told Red, When you’re paroled, just go to
any town and find any farm. And look under any tree, in any field, and there,
under whatever rock you choose (it doesn’t matter which one), you’ll find the
treasure that will set you free.
Nobody would believe a story like that. Not only is it lousy fiction,
but it’s not real life. Buried treasures are not found in every town under every tree in every field under
every rock.
But while no one would believe a story like that, many people believe a
version of “every tree has a treasure under it” when it comes to the ultimate
story about God, forgiveness, and eternal life.
When I was a young man someone told me, “it doesn’t matter what road
you’re on. They all lead to God. Just pick one and stay on it.” Why would
anyone with any real life experience think this is true? It's worse than lousy fiction. It's a terrible, devastating lie when heaven and hell are in the balance. The Bible tells a different story. It says true treasure is only found in one place.
- Where is the treasure of God's love? ...nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:39
- And what about the treasure of forgiveness? in Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses. Ephesians 1:7
- Or eternal life? And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5:11
The Bible teaches that there is treasure, riches and blessing for this life and the next. But it is not found on every spiritual path, in every religious field. It is found in only one place. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
The treasure is Christ, only Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3.
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. Matthew 13:44
