Hello everyone, I hope your week is going well. Today we read several different parables in the book of Matthew. I have to admit that some of them still confuse me quite a bit.
Here’s the parable I decided to focus on for now:
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!” (Matthew 13:45-46).
Interesting, isn’t it? Matthew Henry’s commentary on this portion of scripture is quite intriguing*. He points out that all men live their busy lives looking for “pearls.” These pearls could be admiration, wealth, power or material things. They will stop at nothing to obtain these things.
Is this true or what? Our world is one filled with materialism. Success and power are something people will cheat and steal for. They will do anything to be powerful and rich. Isn’t it sad? I’ve noticed tendencies even in myself to have certain things or even a desire to be known and loved. These are earthly pearls, things we have to be careful of. They may look beautiful right now, but they don’t have any eternal value.
Instead of focusing on these things, Henry says that we, as Christians, need to focus the ultimate pearl, Jesus Christ. He is the very pearl mentioned in this parable.
When our focus is on Christ, earthly pearls don’t seem as important anymore. For the gift he gives us is greater than all the things we could buy or titles we could obtain.
Prayer: Lord, please help me to focus not on earthly wealth and fame, but on things that will matter for eternity.
*Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Matthew 13." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2009. 31 Jul 2009.
< http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
AuthorID=4&contentID=1608&commInfo=5&topic=Matthew >
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