Great Price
Originally scheduled for January 12
Mark 13:45-46
This parable of Jesus is usually known by its
King James title: the Pearl of Great Price. In this parable Christ
brings us one of the most important aspects of the church: the
incredible risk taken by this merchant to get this incredible value.
Becoming a Christian is not a halfway matter. To begin with,
consider that the merchant here obviously was in the pearl business.
He was looking for pearls. The sinner should be a seeker likewise.
May we point out three things about this merchant?
·
He found that pearl. He was
doing the looking, and with the kingdom of God he who seeks, finds.
·
He found one of great value.
There is no sense given to the idea that we may pick and choose
among religions, because it doesn’t matter what you believe as long
as you are sincere. There is only one way to the Father.
·
He found one of great value.
The trivial didn’t interest him. He was looking for something
costly, and found it. This is a man who would not consider a yoga
class to be true spiritual enlightenment.
Then please note the man’s reaction.
·
He went away. His purchase was not a
spontaneous, spur of the moment emotional thing but rather one of
thought, then action.
·
He sold everything. He gave up all
the other valuable things he had for this one item. If you do not
put Christ first in your life, are you really a Christian?
·
Then he made the commitment: he had
the money in hand and he went and purchased the pearl. No “buyer’s
remorse,” but determination to get the one thing of value. He did
not wander into buying that pearl.
The kingdom of God, we are told, is that pearl
of great price. So we might ask:
·
Do you seek, or have you found, the
one source of truth in this universe?
·
Have you felt its value — the cost of
Christ giving his life on the cross?
·
Have you “sold everything?” Is Jesus
Christ really number one in your life?
If so, then take communion with a good heart
today. Remember that it recalls to your mind the great price that
Christ paid — and the great price you pay for being a Christian. You
are taught to examine yourself before doing this, so that you may
repent as needed. Remember, that repentance restores your
relationship to him. Seek the pearl; then do not let it slip away.
