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45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. ~ Matthew 13:45-46
Today, we continue our study in Matthew 13 where the Lord Jesus is in Peter's house in Capernaum teaching His disciples. Having utilized five parables to teach them about His kingdom, today He shares with them the sixth. The parable of the pearl of great price is quite interesting since a pearl is not even mentioned in the entire Old Testament. Through His teaching of this parable, the Lord Jesus, yet again, reveals another aspect of the kingdom of heaven to us.
The main character in this parable was a merchant who traveled around buying things at wholesale prices and then he would sell them at a retail price. Merchants were very common in those days. They were diligent to find deals that would render them a handsome profit. The pearls of their day were the equivalent of diamonds today, they were the most valuable gem in the world at that time. In fact, pearls were particularly found in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and in the Indian Ocean. Like the man in the previous parable discovered treasure buried in the ground, this man found a pearl and sold all that he had in order to purchase the one valuable pearl.
The Lord Jesus told this parable in order to reveal the value of the kingdom of heaven. When something possesses such value, it deserves our complete attention. The kingdom of heaven points us to the King of heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. Convinced of its value, we will sell everything we have to be defined by His kingdom. As we invest in God's kingdom, we will be increasingly convinced that nothing comes close to it in value. We will do all of this with the understanding that we cannot do anything to earn God's acceptance. In fact, it is His grace that motivates us unto obedience to Him. We will be increasingly convinced that God's kingdom is what we want to invest in with everything we have.
In this parable, the pearl was hidden for a reason, it had to be hidden so that it could be sought. The subtle message here is that our hearts must be engage in the pursuit of God's kingdom. Most do not see the value and the preciousness of the kingdom of heaven. Those not awakened to God look upon those who are and they do not understand why we want to live and obey a code of ethics and rules that goes against the grain of our deepest lusts and drives. They can't see the value of God and His rule in their lives because they are yet blinded. Like them, we were all born without the ability to see God and His kingdom accurately. Most are so busy with what this world offers, sadly, they never discover the treasure underneath. This is why the Lord Jesus came to this earth, to enable us to see what is of true value.
I find it most instructive that the pearl is a product of an irritation. The pearl actually begins as a little piece of dirt that works its way into the shell of an oyster and irritates it. In response, the oyster sends out a serum and the serum covers the little piece of sand over and over until it is formed into a pearl over a long period of time. It typically takes at least two years for an oyster to produce a pearl, with some taking up to four years. The pearl is the product of an irritated response to irritation. This is a picture of how we generally respond to the truth. That is, until we begin to learn the liberating preciousness of the truth.
Years ago, a wealthy man who, with his son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of their family estate. Soon war engulfed their nation, and the son left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram confirming his son's death. He had been killed while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. One day the distraught old man received a knock at his door. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls reminded him of his son. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands. After introducing himself to the old man the young man told the man that he was a friend of his son. He then told him that he had something to show him.
It was then that the young man gave the old man a package which he quickly unwrapped. Revealed was a portrait of the man’s son. Overcome with emotion, the old man thanked the soldier for the most valuable gift, proposing to hang the picture above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. Not long thereafter, the man passed away, and the day arrived that art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on his valuable paintings. The auction began with a painting that most didn't recognize. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. After a few moments a man offered ten dollars for the painting. Just then, the auctioneer looked out over the audience and said the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room.
Just then, someone asked, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these other paintings?” The auctioneer replied, “According to the will of the father, whoever wanted the son's portrait, gets all of it.” Our Heavenly Father from eternity past approached His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, to go make a trip to earth to give His life as a ransom resulting in the rescue of sinful man. In sending His Son to this earth, the Father also willed: "Whoever chooses the Son, gets it all.” Thus the lesson from the parable of the pearl of great price.