This Sunday we continue our sermon series on the parables of Jesus, guided by the book Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine.
There are different elements present in this parable. We have the merchant, the object of his search (fine pearls), his surprise discovery (the one precious pearl), and the merchant’s act of selling everything he owned to buy that one precious pearl. By synthesizing every element in the parable to formulate the complete story, we begin to understand the purpose of the merchant’s actions and his eventual change of identity.
In his act of searching for many fine pearls, the merchant found one precious pearl and sold everything to acquire it. He is no longer a merchant because he no longer has a trade or anything left besides his precious pearl.
It is not the merchant’s act of acquiring the precious pearl that is the lesson. It is his act of giving everything for it that is the heart of the lesson. The Kingdom of Heaven is similar to that. The Kingdom of Heaven is not a commodity that one could buy nor earn, but it is a gift. Through the act of recognizing the truly valuable and imperishable Kingdom of Heaven that causes one to give everything for it.
This is an example of extravagant discipleship, and many of us would not find ourselves doing the same thing. However, in recognizing God’s invaluable gift for us, we strive to become more like Christ every day.
I wonder how many of us see in ourselves or in others a change, transformation, or newness after we began our relationship with Jesus.
Matthew 13:45-46 (CEB)
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all that he owned and bought it.
Consider these questions:
- What changes, transformation, or newness do you see in yourselves (or in others) as a result of your (their) relationship with Jesus?
- Were you surprised by them?
- Have your priorities or concerns changed?
- How do you define yourself in relation to God and others?