A Believer's Pearls

 

[Jesus said] “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 ESV).

 

There are those times in the Scripture when an incredible revelation is tucked away in what seems on surface examination to be relatively insignificant. In our reading today, Matthew is recalling some of the parables of Jesus. This one is most often called “The Pearl of Great Value.” The use of “pearls” in Scripture is not uncommon. Here Jesus uses the pearl to symbolize something of great value and beauty. Jesus is saying that the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and when he finds one of great value, he sells all he has to acquire it. This parable emphasizes the importance of seeking and prioritizing spiritual treasures.

 

It is also a representation of spiritual transformation: Just as an oyster covers an irritant with layers of nacre to form a pearl, God can use pain and hardship to build a believer's character and inner beauty. The Apostle John uses it to call to mind purity and heaven (cf. Revelation 21:21). He describes the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem as twelve giant pearls, symbolizing the perfection and preciousness of eternal life. And Jesus uses it in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 7:6) as a metaphor representing sacred spiritual wisdom, the gospel, and good counsel.

 

It is not a huge leap to apply it to the worth of the treasure that is given to us in our family. I find this truth to be one we often don’t recognize as easily. It’s easy to see our responsibility for our families. We understand the effort and sacrifice necessary in serving and protecting our family, but somehow we miss the motivation for all that work. In my mind it is a matter of knowing the great value of the treasure of family which God has given us. They are our divinely gifted pearls!

 

I wonder, how are you treating your pearls? Is it with the care and wisdom that you would use with other highly valued things in your life? It should be.