When I inherited my Grandma’s pearl necklace,  I took them to my favorite trusted jeweler for cleaning and appraisal. They returned them in a beautiful velvet-lined box with the words, “They’re not real, but they cleaned up beautifully.” I never forgot their kind words and actions and how much they cared for my treasure. My “pearl of great price” was priceless only in my heart.

Pearls in the Bible

You read very little about pearls in the Bible, but they were still a highly valued gem and mentioned a few times. I found this parable from Jesus in Matthew 13: the Parable of the Pearl Merchant:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (v45-46)

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Pearl

Jesus used this parable to illustrate the “Pearl of Great Price” (KJV) as his heavenly kingdom. It is like a priceless gem. When we truly comprehend the value of what Jesus is offering, we gladly exchange what we own to follow him. This parable is an illustration, so don’t get confused about the purchasing part. Jesus would never infer that we can buy our salvation. He is showing us that his heavenly treasure is worth all we have to follow him.

The merchant is a seeker. He’s been traveling and looking through many markets. He’s been shopping around, so he knows the value of what he has seen so far, but still wants more. He searches for the one thing that will bring him great joy and true satisfaction. When he finds the Pearl of Great Price, he realizes how valuable it is. It changed his entire life’s priorities and goals. He quickly gave all he had in exchange.

Seeking Truth

Some truth-seekers take a more casual approach; waiting for something to come to them, while some travel far and wide in their search.  Some search through many philosophies and teachings. When the seeker finally meets Jesus and recognizes him for the treasure he is, he will give up all he has to join with him. The merchant “sold everything he had” and we must do the same.

We all hang on to things. We might not even realize it. Money, friends, how we spend our free time, our jobs or ministries or even our own families might qualify as the treasure we put before God.

But Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

Is this one of those “hard teachings” that the disciples mentioned? Our culture today is not exactly about self-denial. But Jesus tells us that to follow him, we need to make our relationship with him our priority.  What we desire and what we believe to be important has to be seen through the lens of our life with Jesus. We are to leave other less valuable things behind even if it is a sacrifice.

Treasure in Heaven

Our “best life” isn’t in this fallen world we live in. We will experience trials, but he is waiting to bring us “safely to his heavenly kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:18) We inherit a heavenly home and have eternal life with Jesus waiting for us. His whole reason for coming into the world was to give us that gift. He wants us with him- forever. As unfathomable as that sounds, it is true.  Right before he was arrested, Jesus prayed, “Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am.” John 17:24  He was thinking of you and me at the time of his impending crucifixion!

We are holding the greatest treasure in the palm of our hands when we say yes to Jesus. But our story doesn’t end there.  Each of us must decide what to do with that treasure. Do we keep it only in our hearts? Tuck it away in our Bibles? Lock it up in a velvet-lined box? Or do we generously and graciously share our treasure with others?

Origin of Pearls

Did you know that pearls are the only jewels created by a living animal?! An irritant (usually a parasite) gets into an oyster, a mussel, or a clam. As a defense mechanism, they deposit a coating on the irritant. Layer upon layer is added and voila’–a pearl is born.

I wonder if Jesus thinks of us as a pearl… our sin is the irritant.  Jesus coats us continually with his forgiveness and transforms us into something of worth and value. He looks at us as a priceless jewel. We may feel like a piece of costume jewelry, but he sees us as his treasure. He even paid the ultimate, sacrificial price. Like the merchant, he gave up everything he had, and for Jesus, that meant giving his own sinless life.

I think tomorrow I will wear my pearls. I want to hold on to the reality that my “Pearl of Great Price” is waiting for me to be with him in heaven.  And in the meantime? He sees me today as a treasure too. That thought gives me great joy.

Blessings,

AnnMarie