Absolutely Priceless

Here's the second parable: 13:45-46 "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." Unlike the first fellow who stumbled across a treasure, the merchant has been hunting for fine pearls. Now he finds one with beauty and perfection beyond what he has ever imagined. He knows that this pearl is one of a kind. He sees that the price tag is substantial, let's say $20,000, but he knows it is still a bargain. He goes back home and sells everything he has and comes up with just enough money to buy the pearl. He makes the purchase and now knows that he owns something worth far more than everything he has ever owned. It is probably worth at least $200,000, but he is thrilled just to have it.

These are a couple of interesting little stories. What is the message Jesus is giving? Some have suggested that the parables are about the Lord Himself, first purchasing Israel to be His chosen nation, and then purchasing the church as His own people. In other words, we are the pearl of great price. This is one of those interpretations which I think tries to over- analyze the text and misses the point that Jesus is making. It seems clear that the focus of both these stories is that being part of the kingdom of heaven, being a disciple of Jesus Christ, is worth whatever sacrifice one has to make. Even if one gave up everything he or she had to follow Jesus, it would be well worth it. I like what Don Carson writes in his commentary. The first parable, he says, shows that the kingdom is worth infinitely more than the cost of discipleship, and those who know where the treasure lies joyfully abandon everything else to secure it. The second parable, he says, shows that those who comprehend the true value of the kingdom of Jesus gladly exchange all else to follow Him. Though I would be crazy to give up everything I have for a ticket to a football game, someone who gave up everything to follow Jesus would be making a very wise choice. The benefits of belonging to God's kingdom far outweigh any cost. That is what Jesus is teaching in these stories. Now, let's talk about the implications for us.

First of all, the cost of following Jesus should not keep us from doing so. Today, churches around the world are praying for Christians who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. My heart breaks when I hear stories about how Christians in Sudan are sold into slavery, how a missionary in India is murdered by a Hindu mob, and how Christians in Cuba are still rotting in prisons because of their faith in Jesus. Yet, it should not really surprise us that things like that happen. In 2 Timothy 3:12, the Lord warns through Paul that "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Here in our country we don't have to face the type of persecution which exists in many parts of the world, and we should be very thankful for that. Still, many of us in this room have experienced some form of ridicule or rejection because of our faith. Not everyone is going to like it if we seek to follow Jesus. As a pastor, I want to make sure we are all aware of that. I don't want anyone to get the impression that it is easy to be a Christian. In Luke 14:25ff, we are told that when large crowds were following Jesus, He turned to them and warned them that they'd better count the cost before they became His disciples. Following Jesus is a rough road.