"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, lie went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matt 13:45-46 Someone recently used this parable during bible class to make a point, and I thought it would make a great bulletin idea as we move into the New Year.

We live in a society, as a whole, that is not used to real sacrifice. For most, the sacrifice that is performed is in all truthfulness a sacrifice to themselves. We may sacrifice time, money, friendships, and stuff in efforts to better our self in things like school or work, but we often fail to truly sacrifice our self interest for sake of others or God. This is sad. Failure to sacrifice is selfishness, and we know that selfishness is the furthest attribute a person can have from God. Jesus teaches us about sacrifice in the parable of the pearl of great price. We ought to be aggressively seeking and searching for truths of God, and when we find those truths, we must make a decision and be willing to sacrifice all that we have to obtain it. Remember the words of Solomon, "Buy truth and do not sell it." Prov 23:23. Let's take a closer look at the parable of the pearl of great price.

First let us consider the pearl. I had never considered how a pearl was made, and was shocked really when I found the answer. Nature has a way of teaching us great truths. It is no wonder then that Jesus would use the pearl to teach a valuable lesson. We hold pearls up as objects of worth and desire, when in fact, pearls are developed in nature through the suffering of the oyster. "The pearl is an abnormal growth resulting from the invasion of the body of the mollusk by a minute irritant, such as a parasite. The particle acts as an irritant in the mollusk and becomes coated with layer upon layer of nacreous material." You can find this information in any encyclopedia or internet search even. What is remarkable is that the mollusk goes through this suffering and overcomes this obstacle to produce the pearl! The pearl, then, is a precious, valuable possession, which is the result of overcoming obstacles and irritants.

This pearl, even though a symbol of suffering, is most valuable, and the merchantman found it. He did not just stumble upon it like the man that found the hidden treasure, but he was actively searching for it. We must be as this merchantman. We must be actively searching for what is important and valuable. Notice, this man was not searching for just any pearl, but he was searching for fine pearls. He knew what he was looking for, and he went out to find it. What is the value of the pearl of great price? It is salvation from eternal destruction. Through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, we now have the ability to receive forgiveness of our sins. Paul says, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." (Heb 2:9) We can partake of this grace, when we take hold of that pearl of great price. This type of value is what the merchantman saw, and so he sold all that he had and bought it. What about you? Have you sacrificed -all that you have, mostly your self-will and desires, in order to lay hold of this great treasure? Have you submitted to God's will or are you allowing the cares of this world to get in your way of obtaining this great treasure? Remember the pearl is a result of suffering and overcoming obstacles. Whether you may suffer greatly or very little in this life, the pearl of great price is worth it.

Eric