Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 8-10
     New Testament Reading: Matthew 13

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46).

In this parable, Jesus describes salvation as a fine pearl. The merchant is a sinner who has sought to find God. When the merchant finally understands the truth of the gospel message, he willingly gives all he has to obtain it. This is not to infer that salvation can be bought, instead, salvation comes when we trust Christ and surrender all that we are and all that we have to him.

A man comes to Jesus, and says, “I’d like to buy your pearl, sir.” Jesus replies, “It is very costly”. “How much is it?” the man asks. “Well, how much do you have?” comes the reply.

“I have ^$63 with me and another ^$500 in the bank.” “Excellent,” said Jesus. “I’ll take it. Do you have any savings or stocks? I’ll take them as well.”

“You want everything,” the man said. Jesus replied, “Do you want the pearl?”

“Ok, you can have it all. Now can I have the pearl?” said the man. “Do you have anything else? Where do you live?” Jesus asked.

“Well, I live in our house,” stated the man matter-of-factly. “I’ll take it as well. Now what else do you have?” asked Jesus.

“I have nothing left; I’ll have to sleep in my car,” said the man. “Oh, you have a car,” said Jesus. “I’ll take it as well. Now, do you have anything else?”

“No, I have nothing left. My family and I will be left out on the street,” replied the man. “I’ll take your family as well,” said Jesus, and handed him the pearl.

Then, as only Jesus could do, lovingly, He hands everything back to the man and says, “I’m giving all this back to you to manage. But if I call for them, don’t ever forget who they belong to.”

This is the message of the Pearl of Great Price, the message of our salvation.

Jesus said, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple(Luke 14:33). The apostle Paul said, I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20a).

The popular Hymn says it so well:
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him, In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow.
Worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me Jesus, take me now.
I surrender all, I surrender all.
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all