We know what something is worth by the price someone will pay for it.
Whether it be cars or houses, or appliances, there’s a whole industry and community around items we can purchase in our society. What’s the rating? What are other people paying for it? When we pay less than the average, that’s a deal. If we pay more than something is generally worth, then we got taken or scammed.
I lived in Korea for four years, and I learned to haggle at certain markets. Generally, I would offer a super low price, and then the shop owner would act offended and comment about how I was taking food from his children’s mouths.
He would respond with another price, much higher, and I would then begin to walk away. This game would continue until we agreed on a price.
The worth of human life, however, isn’t negotiable. No one knows better or more than God, and he sets the price for humanity. And it’s eternal and priceless. God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, that we wouldn’t perish but have eternal life.
The worth of God and his Kingdom is also not negotiable. As we can see from Jesus’ parable of the Pearl of Great Price, the Kingdom of God has ultimate worth.
What Is the Context of the ‘Pearl of Great Price’?
Matthew chapter 13 is one of the main sections where Jesus shares parables about faith and, specifically, the Kingdom of God.
Jesus always used stories to teach about the Kingdom of God. Sometimes the Bible uses the term Kingdom of Heaven since the Jews of Jesus’ day were careful about using the name of God, related to the Old Testament commandment to not take the name of the Lord in vain.
Only a few verses before the Pearl of Great Price, Matthew records for us that Jesus always used parables when he taught (Matthew 13:34-35). He didn’t only use stories, but along with teaching declarative statements, he illustrated with stories.
Interestingly, while Jesus gave the gospel, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand,” and even though the Kingdom of God was one of his primary messages, he never gave a definition for the Kingdom of God.
No one in the Bible gives a simple definition of the Kingdom of Heaven. He only explained the Kingdom of God using stories.
But why? Because a definitive statement, as true as it might be, is limited by temporary human language to express eternal truth. Story, however, is deep and complex, showing us the eternal reality and engaging us holistically — emotionally, intellectually, experientially, and spiritually. Story places truth in experience.
For example, the Bible says God is love, and that is true. But those words alone can’t properly express the abundant and eternal love of God.
God showed us his love by sending his only Son to die for us and provided a path back to a reconciled and redeemed relationship with him. Do you want to know about God’s love? Here’s Jesus dying on the cross for you.
The Kingdom of Heaven is this whole other realm, completely unlike the world we live in, and Jesus needed story to teach about it. “The Kingdom of God is like …” Matthew 13 explains that Jesus fulfilled prophecy when he told parables, uttering “things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Jesus told the secrets of the Kingdom through stories.
Toward the end of chapter 13, Jesus uses the Pearl of Great Price to illustrate an aspect of the Kingdom — its worth. In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a merchant in search of fine pearls. Upon finding one pearl of exceptional value, the merchant sells everything he has to acquire it.
The biblical context of the "pearl of great price" can be found in Matthew 13:45-46, where Jesus shares a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven.
In this parable, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a merchant in search of fine pearls. Upon finding one pearl of exceptional value, the merchant sells everything he has to acquire it. (talk about the gospel of the Kingdom Matthew 3:2, 4:17, Mark 1:15).
What Was Jesus Teaching with the ‘Pearl of Great Price’?
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:15), “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” This was Good News, the ultimate Good News.
The Kingdom of Heaven is an idea from the Old Testament, from prophets like Daniel and others, the promise that God would personally come and set up a perfect world where everything that was wrong is set right.
The Messiah, as the son of David, would be the one to bring this Kingdom to Earth. Jesus is that Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One, and he called people to return to God and away from sin because God is ready to set things right.
We want this. There is no death or sickness or loss or abuse or hate in the Kingdom of God. Even people who don’t believe in God or seem to hate Christianity grieve over death and tragedy. Why? Because we weren’t created for this dying, broken world.
Our deepest desires and needs are satisfied to abundance in this Kingdom. Therefore, we should turn from this temporary world that can’t satisfy and won’t last to the King who loves us and offers us a place in his heaven, now and in the future.
This is reality, and when we have the revelation of this reality, then we will give our lives for God and his Kingdom. That is the Kingdom’s true value, and it isn’t negotiable. To illustrate this, Christ shares the parable of the Pearl of Great Price.
First, the merchant was searching for something of value. Are we searching for the things that matter? The things of true worth?
We are easily distracted by things without any lasting value that don’t bring us any contentment or satisfaction, leaving us even emptier than before, if possible. The man searched for something of great value among pearls.
One pearl was different from all the rest. This is a recognition the Kingdom of God is separate from all other kingdoms and far greater. There is nothing else like it.
The merchant next realized that the pearl wasn’t beyond his reach. He could have this unique and singular pearl. The Kingdom of God is open and available, hence why Jesus came as a man and preached the gospel.
The man understood the value of the pearl. It would cost everything he had. He didn’t haggle for it or try to get a deal. Giving everything he had for such a pearl was the deal. Such is the Kingdom.
It is worth everything we have, and that alone is a deal. We get far more than we give up, a life that we would lose anyway, for an eternal life we can never lose and an inheritance in heaven.
To try and give less than our all is to live a lie, to cheapen what has ultimate value. We can have eternal life and an inheritance in the Kingdom, but it will cost us everything we have.
What Are Other Parables about the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13?
Besides the parable of the pearl of great price, Jesus used various other parables to describe the Kingdom of God. Here are only a few.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19). Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, which starts small but grows into a large tree.
This illustrates the transformative and expansive nature of the Kingdom. It teaches that even though the Kingdom may have humble beginnings, it will ultimately flourish and have a significant impact.
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9; Mark 4:3-9; Luke 8:5-8). Jesus uses this parable to explain how people receive and respond to the message of the Kingdom.
He compares the different types of soil to the condition of people's hearts, emphasizing the importance of a receptive and fertile heart for the growth of the Kingdom within individuals.
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). Jesus uses the metaphor of a field where wheat and weeds grow together. The wheat represents the righteous in the Kingdom, while the tares represent the evildoers.
Jesus teaches that there will be a separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end of time, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom over evil.
In the Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44), Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a hidden treasure found in a field.
When a person discovers it, they sell everything they have to obtain it. This parable illustrates the incomparable value of the Kingdom and the willingness to give up everything for its possession.
What Lessons Can We Learn from the ‘Pearl of Great Price’?
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price conveys profound spiritual truths about the Kingdom of God and provides valuable insights into the Christian journey.
1. The incomparable worth of the kingdom. Just as the pearl of great price is deemed more valuable than any other possessions, the Kingdom surpasses everything else in significance and desirability.
It reminds us to recognize the surpassing worth of the Kingdom and to prioritize it above worldly pursuits and possessions.
2. The cost of discipleship. The merchant in the parable sells everything he has to obtain the pearl. This teaches us that following Jesus and embracing the Kingdom requires surrendering our own desires, attachments, and priorities.
It calls us to count the cost of discipleship and be willing to let go of anything that hinders our full devotion to Christ and His Kingdom.
3. The pursuit of God's Kingdom. Like the merchant diligently searches for fine pearls, we are called to seek the Kingdom with intentionality and fervor.
It reminds us that the Kingdom is not something we passively stumble upon but rather a treasure worth actively pursuing through prayer, study of God's Word, fellowship, and obedience.
4. The value of revelation. The merchant discerns the true worth of the pearl through his expertise and understanding.
Similarly, understanding the value of the Kingdom requires spiritual revelation given by the Holy Spirit.
It reminds us of the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance to recognize the true worth of His Kingdom in our lives.
5. The joy of discovering the Kingdom. Discovering such a great value isn’t something of obligation or duty. It’s joy. The world we’ve always longed for exists. The merchant's decision to sell everything is fueled by the realization of the pearl's value.
Likewise, when we truly grasp the value and significance of the Kingdom, it brings immense joy, contentment, and purpose to our lives. It is a source of deep fulfillment that surpasses any worldly pleasures.
6. The Kingdom as the ultimate priority. The parable challenges us to evaluate our pursuits and priorities, ensuring that the Kingdom is at the forefront.
It reminds us that the Kingdom of God should shape our decisions, actions, relationships, and ambitions. When the Kingdom becomes our primary focus, it transforms every aspect of our lives.
The Pearl of Great Price teaches us to recognize and prioritize the incomparable worth of the Kingdom of God, to count the cost of discipleship, and to actively seek heaven and the eternal reality with fervor and joy through faith and the Holy Spirit. May we gladly pay the price of such a singular and eternal opportunity.
Peace.
For further reading:
What Were the Parables of Jesus?
What Is the Meaning behind Parables?
How Do We Seek First the Kingdom of God?
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