“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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.”
– Matthew 13:44,45
![]() What’s the most precious thing you own? When you contrast that item with what you think is most valuable to the world around you, how does it compare? I’m willing to bet that for many of you, what you treasure is not something that is considered precious to others, at least not to society at large. This is because we ascribe unique value to something based on our own experiences, emotions, and perceptions. Sentimental worth does not directly correlate to monetary value. And yet, in describing the Kingdom of God, Jesus minced no words. He chose to compare knowing Him to an item that was absolutely precious and highly treasured to the world as a whole: a pearl. To give you an example of how valuable a pearl was in the first century Roman Empire, there was a famous general (I think he was even Caesar for a day), and he paid for his entire conquest with one of his mother’s pearl earrings. Then there’s Cleopatra when she hosted Mark Antony. In an attempt to flaunt Egypt’s incomprehensible wealth to him, she threw him a huge party, took a pearl from her stash, dissolved it in vinegar, and drank it. Her extravagance was legendary for centuries thereafter! But why were these little pearls so valuable? Probably because they were forged through years of suffering. When an oyster gets an irritant, such as a grain of sand, in its shell, he tries to get it out of his mouth because it causes him pain. When he can’t, he begins building a hard coating around the source of the irritation, and after years of buildup, it becomes a pearl. This means that one of the world’s most prized possessions comes about because of another creature’s discomfort and irritation. Friend, your citizenship in the Kingdom of God is your pearl of great price! When you received Jesus Christ as Lord, you walked through His pearly gates and into a life overflowing with the richest of treasure. Because the Savior suffered for you, you have inherited the greatest gift a human heart can know — abundant and joy-filled eternal life. I encourage you to honor and esteem your citizenship in the Lord’s Kingdom and freely share His pearls — wisdom, peace, patience, kindness, love, and grace — with the world around you. |
Prayer
I praise you, Jesus, for being my pearl of great price. Thank you for receiving me into your eternal Kingdom.
Reflection
What in your life do you treasure most?
2 Responses
The things that I treasure most in my life are GOD first and foremost , my family , my precious friends / Christian associates, co-workers/ colleagiates/friends, my extended family of cousins , aunt’s & uncle’s as well!, And my church family too! The Body of Christ as a whole people around the world ! Plus being a blessing to the needy & less fortunate people on a daily basis! Even my precious godson whom I love very much and to my future boyfriend / husband whom I will live love cherish forevermore someday soon this year / next year! Plus my future natural children whom I will love adore them always to raise them up in the admonition of the LORD this year/next year !
Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Stephanie. God loves you and so do we!