“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.

Matthew 13:45-46

For Meditation

What is your most valued possession in this world? Can you take it with you when you depart this world? Have you ever seen a U-Haul following a hearse to a gravesite?

What I have seen, with utter disbelief, are television images during evacuations from severe flooding of people voluntarily opting for death, rather than for departure, from their dearly loved possessions. Others stayed back to protect their property as a blazing fire was sweeping across their neighborhoods. Still, others deserted rescue squads to return to search for their pets. Many perished during such natural catastrophes. Like Lot’s wife, who could not look away from their family possession when the fire of God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but looked back and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26), such people diminish the value of life against their material possessions. It poses the question of what is the greatest treasure for us in this world?  

We could have given them a pass in the era of ignorance when all the world had to cherish were these material things, human philosophies, and lifeless idols to worship. But not anymore! That period ended when two thousand years ago, in the little town of Bethlehem, a child was born in a manger (Luke 2:1-7). His name from heaven is—Jesus (1:31). He is Christ, the Messiah. Matthew tells us He is the Immanuel that Isaiah prophesied about (Isaiah 7:14). And whom the Lord informed Joseph in his dream, what Immanuel means. “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). 

Sin has condemned the entire world to death—eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). Hell is blazing fiercely across the globe, threatening to engulf everyone.

But “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Among all the treasures of this world that people are struggling and clamoring for stands the Pearl of pearls (Matthew 13:45)—Jesus Christ, Savior of the world (Acts 4:12). Those who, by diligent search, find Him, trade everything for Him. He gives them eternal life and the hope of glory (Romans 5:1-2; Colossians 1:27). 

Paradise is in Him (Luke 23:43). It is not in California. We all know how on November 8, 2018, fire blazed through Paradise, the extremely prosperous town in that state and destroyed it. The Paradise that Jesus Christ promises can never burn. It is only bliss.

So, can you trade every treasure you have in this world for “the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” as Paul did?  

Shalom.