Thursday, March 05, 2009

The Pearl of Great Value

I have changed my mind concerning the meanings of two small parables in the 13th chapter of Matthew. Verse 44 say's,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Verse 45 - 46 reads, “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.

All my life I have been taught that the kingdom of heaven is so important and valuable that we should put it of most importance in our lives. True, but salvation, the kingdom of God is a free gift. We cannot purchase or earn it.

In other parables, fields represent the world. There is only one great redeemer Christ Jesus the Lord who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2: 6-8 Jesus purchased the field. And so the pearl of great price is you! Make no mistake about it, God loves you! You are prized and valuable to Him.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession... Malachi 3:17

1 comment:

Beth Niquette said...

Hey, Gary! Thanks for the funny comment about the fish and the mermaid. Nope, I can tell ya--you can't blame a fellow for trying! (guffaw)

Great blog, by the way!