In the world of pearls, it seems like there are limitless options. When you go to a jeweler you have the option of white, black, pink, round, oblong, salt water, fresh water, and everything in between. These pearls are each the result of an oyster coating over and over again some foreign object it finds lodged inside its shell. Each one is appraised beforehand to determine how much it is worth and at what price it can reasonably be sold. Each year people travel all over the world in search of the biggest, best, and most expensive pearls to sell to their customers. To many that pearl would represent an achievement in their lives and a sign of their wealth.
In the scriptures, a reference to a pearl is made to illustrate the kind of wealth we should seek. In Matthew 13:45-46, the Savior likens the kingdom of heaven to a "pearl of great price" that a merchant man gives everything he possesses to obtain. The Lord was instructing his listeners that his gospel, or the way to the kingdom of heaven, was worth anything we may be required to give up. To the rich young ruler Christ said that if he would give up his treasures and follow him, then he would be able to inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:20-22). In most of our lives, the Lord requires us to offer are desires and our sins to him. He asks us to stop doing those things that are contrary to the commandments and follow him. To some it may be quitting an addiction to cigarettes or alcohol. For others it may mean foregoing Sunday activities in order to worship him in church. No matter what the sacrifice may be, Christ has always promised that the reward, or pearl, would be worth far more than anything we may have given up.
That's a way good analogy. You could even take it further and say that just like coating a pearl over and over and over again, the kingdom of Heaven isn't something that we gain all at once. It takes continuous consistent effort in doing what He has asked us to.
ReplyDelete