Jesus Challenges Us to See a New Reality

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The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.  Matthew13:45-46 (NIV)

We pay dearly for all we invest our time and money into.  But when everything is said and done, what’s of greatest value to you?  If you found your pearl of great price, would you sell everything you had to buy it?  That's no easy question.  How dare I ask it?  But Jesus himself drew the comparison.

I read a story last week which sparked my imagination.  I thought of the parable of the pearl of great price.

In June, Carole Ryan returned home from Prague to find her Arizona home and many of her pets destroyed by wildfire.  This 65-year-old’s home had burnt to the ground. 

Observers said that she was “remarkably upbeat.”  Her daughter who lived with her was safe.

Ms. Ryan explained.   “I owned too much stuff. . . .  In a way, the fire set me free to start all over again.”  Then, she received an unexpected joy.

While sifting through the debris, with a sifter provided to her by Red Cross workers, she was astonished to find her most prized possession, her mother’s wedding ring.

That’s the moment I thought of the parable.  It was as if she had just found her pearl of great price.

I thought --what is my most prized possession? 

I daresay that we are often deceived by the things of this world, and focus our attention on and set our affections on counterfeit pearls.

In this parable, Jesus is showing us a truth about the kingdom of heaven.

He challenges us to see a new reality.  By using this comparison of the merchant finding a pearl and selling all that he has to buy it, He is showing us the great and true worth of the kingdom of heaven.   This challenges us to look at our attitudes about what we value and see this new reality—the reality of the kingdom of heaven—more precious than all that we own.

Jesus Christ is a pearl of great price and when we have Him as our Lord and Savior, we have enough of true worth to bring us satisfaction and joy in this life and for eternity. 

Might we abandon all that stands in the way of our discipleship? 

 

Amazing photo courtesy of Aaron Baron

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

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