There was a time when finding a priceless pearl was as difficult as it was dangerous. Before the now-popular cultured pearl farms, where pearls are produced by implanting particles in oysters and then harvested in the billions every year, divers descended to depths of over 100 feet on a single breath, searching for the jackpot, the priceless pearl that would make them rich for life. These divers were exposed to the dangers of the sea and hostile creatures in it. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it was not uncommon for divers to black out and drown as a result of shallow water blackout when resurfacing from such depths.
In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value, Jesus was telling His audience about the great value of the Kingdom of Heaven, using a pearl as His object lesson.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
(Matthew 13:45-46)
Jesus was not suggesting that salvation can be purchased. That would be completely inconsistent with the clear teaching of Scripture, which teaches that salvation is a gift of God (Romans 6:23). We must remember that parables were designed to both reveal and conceal. Some listeners would hear the story and think it was about nothing more than money. The pearl merchant in the parable was on an unwavering quest to discover that which was most important to him, as it related to what he knew best—pearls—and without hesitation he gave up everything for it.
So . . . what “pearl” have you been searching for lately? Have you been in pursuit of a pearl of power, position, prestige, prosperity, pleasure, or a pain-free providence? Perhaps the pearl of the applause of man reclines imperiously on the throne of your life. Remember, whatever rules your heart shapes your life!
To be sure, there is only one “pearl” that is priceless and worthy of our pursuit, and His name is Jesus Christ. What have you given up for Him? Is there anything you are clutching with white knuckles, refusing to release it for your Savior? Here is what the apostle Paul said regarding his one pearl of great value: “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7).
Jesus made it clear in the Parable of the Pearl that the greatest treasure in the world is the Kingdom of Heaven. When God is the object of our deepest desire, everything else in this life fades into the background. As my friend and beloved Pastor Tullian likes to say, “Jesus plus nothing equals everything!” You see, when you want Jesus more than anything else in this life, your perspective changes. Your journey to the Celestial City becomes a joy, despite the rocky valleys you must navigate along the way.
Paul acknowledged that he had lost “all things” in his pursuit of Christ, but that he counted them “rubbish” compared to “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). When your greatest desire is, as was Paul’s, to “gain Christ and be found in him,” struggles become servants of our Savior.
Christian, prayerfully consider every “pearl” you have been diving for . . . driving for . . . dying for . . . and ask if that pursuit is really God’s best for you. May the confession of your life be that your pearl of great value is found in Christ and Christ alone, regardless of the cost or circumstance.
This is the gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 