Go to the Home page Weekly bulletin article archives

The Parable Of The Pearl Of Great Value

by Chris Simmons

Jesus taught in Matthew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

First of all, it’s important to note that in these two brief parables, what Jesus is seeking to teach us about is the kingdom of heaven. We also need to note that the term “kingdom of heaven” is synonymous with the term “kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24), and that to be in the kingdom is to be in the church (Colossians 1:13-18).

In these parables, we first read of a man who discovers a “treasure” in a field and then sells all that he has to buy that field. Secondly we read of someone who finds “one pearl of great value” and likewise sold all that he had in order to obtain it.

First and foremost, these parables speak about the effort man must give to be part of the kingdom of heaven. The emphasis these parables place is on the actions taken by the man who found the treasure and the merchant who found the pearl to obtain them. Once the treasure and the pearl were discovered, they became the sole focus of the lives of the men who sought them and they were willing to give all they had to obtain them. In like manner, the kingdom of God is to be our sole focus and we are to be willing to give all we have to be part of it.

The lesson for us is clear, we are to have a single focus and an unwavering commitment in our life to seek God’s kingdom. Paul expressed this singular focus in Philippians 3:13-14 where he said, one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Jesus commanded in the Sermon on the Mount, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). The men in this parable illustrate for us what it means to “seek first.” They gave all they had, and if we’re not willing to do the same, we are not worthy of the kingdom. We must count the cost of what it takes to be part of the kingdom and be willing to pay whatever it requires of us (cf. Luke 14:25-33).

Speaking of the cost, Eldred Echols, in his book “Discovering The Pearl Of Great Price” notes that a pearl is not something that someone just stumbles upon. He states, “In biblical times they (pearls) were obtained at great cost in human terms … they risked attacks from sharks, moray eels, and devil fish … yet, an average of only one oyster in a thousand contained a pearl. The divers were old at thirty and generally didn’t survive the age of forty. Rarely, a diver brought up a gem of priceless quality … but no pearls were found in ancient times except at the risk of a man’s life.”

The application to the kingdom of heaven is clear. The degree of effort required to enter into the eternal kingdom is enormous and the cost is significant. We are unworthy of God’s kingdom if we are unwilling count and pay the cost associated with being a disciple of Jesus Christ (Luke 14:25-33).

This parable illustrates the need for discernment for not all pearls are of comparable worth and value. To an untrained eye, one could be easily deceived by a fake pearl. Before selling all that we have, it would behoove us to be taught to discern that of great value from the worthless. The application is this, it is incumbent upon each one of us to study the characteristics of the true church – the real kingdom, God’s kingdom. This was the purpose of our recent gospel meeting with Brother Lowell Blasingame. There are many who would seek to deceive us by that which is not the true pearl (Ephesians 5:5-6; II Timothy 3:12-14; Colossians 2:8).

More than just dollars and cents, the cost associated with the pursuit of the pearl of great value is the cost of our time, devotion and dedication – all of which require our whole heart. One will not endure the risks described associated with finding a very valuable pearl if their heart is not consumed by it. God told the Israelites that when they would forsake Him, they could return to fellowship with Him only when they “search for Him with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). Our search for the pearl of great value can not be a part-time affair but must consume our very being. What it requires is our very lives, even if it means being willing to die for our faith (Revelation 2:10).

Another important characteristic of the pearl is that it is the only gemstone that cannot be improved by man. All other gems, such as diamonds, must be cut and polished in a certain way in order to display their splendor and beauty. Pearls are created by God perfect and any intervention of man will only ruin its natural beauty. Thus the pearl is the perfect representation for the kingdom of God which is also designed and created by God and must not be altered by the efforts of men whatsoever. Any efforts by man to alter or improve upon the kingdom will damage it and change it from its perfect state. We must hold to the perfect pattern (Hebrews 8:5; Romans 6:17).

Are we pearl seekers? Hebrews chapter 11 describes men in the Old Testament who were. We read of Abraham in Hebrews 11:10 where it is said, for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Later we read in Hebrews 11:14-16 regarding such pearl seekers, “For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” Those men discussed in Hebrews chapter 11 were indeed pearl seekers.

Just like pearl divers, they were willing to give their lives for the treasure that they spent their lives pursuing as we read in Hebrews 11:36-39 of those who “experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.” They sought the pearl above all else (Matthew 6:33) and made it the sole focus of their lives.

The parable of the pearl of great value also teaches us that there is most certainly a great reward that awaits those who diligently seek after it. We must remember that some aspects of a parable DO NOT always translate into an appropriate and truthful spiritual application. For example, some seekers of real pearls would diligently seek after such a rare and priceless pearl all their lives and never find it. Yet, we are promised that if we seek for it, we will find it (Matthew 7:7). We are promised that if we truthfully and diligently seek for the pearl of great value, we will find it.

Go to the Home page Weekly bulletin plus article archives