Matthew 13.45-46 NLT




Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
In the ancient world pearls were prized as highly as gold. Although we might not think of pearls that way, even today the most valuable pearls can be worth millions of pounds. Their beauty has always attracted interest and in Jesus’ time they were mainly found in the Red Sea or Persian Gulf. Pearls were also found in far off Britain and indeed that was one of the things that attracted Julius Caesar to these islands.
The point of the story is clear. The merchant was always on the look out for the very best pearls. They all had a charm and a beauty but, like any expert, he could easily spot the best and, when he found it, he was determined to own it. Nothing would get in the way. He gladly sold up everything he owned in order to buy this one precious pearl. Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is just the same. It is so precious that anyone who understands how amazing it is will gladly give up everything they possess in order to be part of it.


The Kingdom of Heaven is the most beautiful pearl of all, but there is no suggestion that all the rest are rubbish. Pearls are all beautiful and attractive. Jesus is affirming that there is much in this world that is fine and good. There is much goodness and beauty around us which we should praise. But the Kingdom of Heaven is on another level. Because it is God’s Kingdom it is the best, and we should be ready to give up everything in order to be a member of it. Many people look at Christian faith like membership of a sports club, or a motoring organisation. You can dip into it as and when it suits you. But Jesus invites people to follow him on a completely different basis. He doesn’t say, “Come and follow me as and when it suits you,” but invites us to follow him for the whole of our life. And the reason for that is that his desire is to bless the whole of our life, and not just a small part of it.




QUESTION: Do you see following Jesus as the pearl of greatest value?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ thank you that your desire is to enrich every part of my life. Amen

Released on 7 Dec 2021