Priceless Pearl

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46).

You may be thinking, “Wait a minute, wasn’t that the point of The Parable of the Hidden Treasure?” Yes it was. “Then why did Jesus repeat it?” Because we’re human. Quite often you will find in Scripture places where God’s words are repeated. It is for emphasis. For the Hebrew people what is said last is what is most important, most of the time. For us, all that God has said is important and it is repeated for emphasis because we have to be reminded of things - we tend to forget what we’ve been told.

The point of The Parable of the Priceless Pearl is that of the proper seeking for salvation; the proper conduct in reference to saving faith. In The Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the person who discovered the treasure went about securing it by unethical and immoral means. In The Parable of the Priceless Pearl, the person who discovered the treasure went about securing it as any moral and ethical merchant would.

In his search for valuable pearls, a merchant found one pearl of great value, and sold all his possessions to obtain it. So Jesus said people searching for happiness, or meaning in life, or freedom from the guilt of sin, etc. and find the Gospel (the pearl of great price), should be willing to sacrifice all other things in order to obtain it. 

Now understand this, Jesus is not saying that the Gospel can be bought. That’s not the point nor the intent of the parable. The point is, man’s search for joy, happiness, meaning, purpose, forgiveness, knowing God, etc. is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When that man discovers this and understands this, then he leaves everything else to have it. 

What did Paul say? (Philippians 3:8) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. What did Jesus say? (Luke 14:33) . . . whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. And again (Matthew 10:37-39) He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. 

Salvation cannot be bought or sold or stolen. It can only be received when a person discovers it in Jesus Christ.

“Thank You Father, for the free gift of salvation in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that He paid the price for my salvation and, through Your Holy Spirit, has opened my eyes and understanding to this priceless treasure. I praise Your in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Pastor