Christian Education The Joy of Jesus Today

The Parable of
The Pearl of Great Price
Matt 13:45,46 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (web)

Discussion Questions
How does this parable differ from that of the parable just before it of the hidden treasure (Matt 13:44)?
How did the merchant know the value of the pearl?
What evidence is there that he had really come to value it?
What has God's treasure cost you?


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Comments
Once again as in the parable of the hidden treasure, this is about seeking and recognizing the value of God's gift.. Though the man in the previous parable may have simply run across the treasure by chance, this man purposely sought the treasure, making it his profession and purpose in life. Such an attitude is a characteristic of saving faith as the author of Hebrews writes
Heb 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
At first the merchant may not be aware that such a great pearl existed. In the process of examining other pearls he may have caught rumor of such a pearl. Or he may have discovered it on his own. Seekers often have gone through the process of examining a number of religions, philosophies and ideas. And indeed the scriptures reckon as virtuous those who are skeptical, carefully evaluating the ideas proposed rather than accepting them gullibly with a blind faith:
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11

Rap
There once was a merchant looking for pearls
Thinking of them like nuts to squirrels
But one day he found a pearl of great price
And sold all he had, all his merchandise
To buy the pearl he sought the most
Which in the end would be his boast.
There are those who seek from place to place
What can be found only through God's grace
The pearl of great price is Jesus our Lord
When you find Him you'll find that you can afford
To replace your trust in other things
With the One from whom eternal life springs