“Again, 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.” (Matthew 13:45-46)

In my personal budget and spending habits, I will pay whatever it costs for something that I genuinely need. However, if it is something I would just like to have, I am careful to make sure I am getting a good deal, a good value for the money.

In some religions, religious practice is more like a financial transaction. If I do enough good works, I will have a place in heaven. The Jewish and Catholic religions both believe this way to an extent. But this is not how God’s economy works.

Jesus liked to teach by telling stories and using metaphors. In the very short parable above, he compared himself to a merchant in the market for fine pearls. Pearls are not a necessity. Their value is based on the desire of the purchaser to have it. You see this in auctions where the potential buyers can bid up the price. In this case, the fine pearls are us, you and me. And our Creator God gave his only son, Jesus, who gave his very own life—to purchase us as his treasured possession.

God made us for his pleasure; for his glory. And when Adam and Eve sinned and hid, God pursued them in the Garden.  We read in Luke 19:10 that “Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus continues to pursue us because he desires a deeper commitment from us. It is only as we abide in Him and He in us that we can bear much fruit for His kingdom (John 15:7-8). His pursuit is for our good. There is no greater blessing in the universe than being the objects of the Lord God Almighty’s pursuit. Did you take this in? I said, “There is no greater blessing in the universe than being the objects of the Lord God Almighty’s pursuit.” Just rest in that thought for a moment.

Why are we so valuable? It has nothing to do with anything we did. It is all because of the price that was paid for us. When you look in the mirror, you see a priceless pearl. When you look at the people you serve, and the people you serve with, you see priceless pearls. Maybe we should think of the Mission as a jewelry box, full of priceless pearls. After all, we were made in God’s own image, each and every one of us, and bought with the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Oh, if we could just see ourselves and each other as God sees us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In Christ,

Judy