Can You Believe How Much Jesus Loves You?
“[T]he kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45–46 NKJV)
When I quickly read this parable, my first thought was that Jesus was the pearl of great price. After all, isn’t Jesus the only One valuable enough to sell everything for?
But there are at least two flaws in that conclusion. First, Jesus can’t be bought; He is God. Second, if we had to buy our salvation, it would no longer be free. And the Bible clearly tells us that salvation is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
So, I prayed and asked God to help me understand the parable. (By the way, that’s something you can do, too. The Holy Spirit is our teacher (1 Corinthians 2:12).) I wanted to know: Who is the merchant? What does the pearl represent? And what exactly is the kingdom of heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven
Whose kingdom will it be when we get to heaven? The kingdom of heaven belongs to Jesus. The Bible says that God the Father put all things under Jesus’ feet (Ephesians 1:22). Jesus is the King of kings (Revelation 17:14). As Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36 NKJV). The kingdom of heaven is Jesus’ kingdom.
Who is part of Jesus’ kingdom? The church – people who have been born again. If you’ve been born again, you’re part of the kingdom of heaven. The Bible says your citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
The Merchant
Who gave everything so we could be a part of His kingdom? Jesus did. Jesus is the merchant. He left heaven to be born a baby so He could live a perfect life and lay down His life for us. Jesus gave it all so He could redeem (buy) us (1 Peter 1:18–19).
The Pearl
What did Jesus acquire when He redeemed us by paying the price for our sins? Anyone who would receive Him (John 1:12). So, we are the pearl of great price. Can you believe how much Jesus loves you? You are very valuable to Him.
But really, how can we be compared to a beautiful pearl? This is the best part. A pearl starts as a piece of sand or dirt – an irritant to the oyster or mussel. In response to that irritant, the oyster or mussel secretes a crystalline substance to cover it. Eventually, the irritant is transformed into a pearl.
We are like that piece of sand or dirt. When we come to Jesus, He covers us with His robe of righteousness. Through the years, He refines us and molds us into His image. Yet, God already sees what Jesus is making us into. He knows the beginning from the end. Instead of the irritant, He sees the beautiful pearl that He’s forming. Isn’t that amazing?
As we embark on this Christmas season, take time to meditate on how Jesus redeemed you. Remember how valuable you are to Him. Believe how much Jesus loves you. Then praise Him for saving you and making you beautiful as you walk by faith with Him.
Photo by Caleb Stokes on Unsplash