RPG Adults
THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE: ITS SIGNIFICANCE
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Matthew 13:45-46
Memory verse: Matthew 13:46
“…when he had found
one pearl of great price,
went and sold all that he had…”
THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE: ITS SIGNIFICANCE
Unlike the man who found the buried treasure (he was not seeking the Gospel), the merchant sought something hidden. He was seeking the pearl of great price. “Pearls” refer to the religions throughout the ages. The merchant tasted many religions in his time and found they were insufficient. The fear of death did not dissipate. He did not know where he would go after he died. His heart was still gripped by sin, and it frightened him to the core if he were to die in his sins. He hated hurting people, especially his loved ones, but his mouth kept sinning. There was a void within that could not be satisfied. He needed to find the pearl of great price that could answer all his problems and help him overcome his fear of death and his struggle against sin!
Jesus called the pearl he found the pearl of great price because He was comparing only two “pearls” since there is only the broad way through the broad gate that leads to destruction and the narrow way through the strait gate that leads to everlasting life. The use of “great” is Jesus’ way of using the comparative for the superlative.
Since the pearl of great price refers to the Gospel of Christ, the merchant was like a sinner who had tasted many religions in his life and could not fill the emptiness within his soul. He yearned for the pearl of great price. Though all the goodly pearls had their value, none of them was good enough to satisfy his soul fully. One day, he found the Gospel of Christ! The truth of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary for his sins (so that he need not die) and rose from the dead for his justification. Thus, he sold all he had, i.e. he surrendered his all to Christ by confessing his sins and received Jesus Christ as his substitutionary atonement before God.
The void in his soul was henceforth filled to the full. He had found the precious salvation of Jesus Christ, i.e. the pearl of great price. Pearl is lustre white, symbolising purity. The pearl of great price is priceless and reflects the holiness and purity of the one who wears it. The one who receives Christ wears holiness everywhere he goes.
THOUGHT: Does my Christian life manifest purity and holiness?
PRAYER: Father, help me to be holy, for Thou art Holy.