Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Matthew 13, Jesus’ parable of the pearl of great price. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- I have never really liked pearls. I’ve always been more infatuated with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and topaz. I like jewelry that is set in gold, not on a string, a necklace.
- So I have not always appreciated this parable of Jesus. I might have passed on the deal – I’m not sure that any pearl could sway me to part with all that I have.
- This parable is also fraught with difficulties. It would seem that if one found treasure in a field he should reveal this to the landowner before buying the field from him. But we can understand the motivation of the treasure hunter.
- Our other problem with these parables is where we place ourselves. Our natural tendency is to put ourselves in the place of the purchaser. We think it possible for us to “buy” the kingdom of heaven. We think that we should treasure the kingdom of heaven more than all our possessions. We think that Jesus is telling us what we ought to do.
- This is not only preposterous, it is part of our sinful nature that just struggles to understand God, the nature of His gracious mercy and love. It is explained to us in the Old Testament Lesson. It is outlined for us in the Epistle Lesson – God’s foreknowing, His predestination, His calling, His justifying, and His glorifying of His people.
- Still, we constantly think that we should be the ones to “gain” the kingdom of heaven – by our cleverness, by our commitment, by our investment. But in this way we miss the point – and are blinded to the truth of God’s love. This is to our great detriment.
- For Jesus is actually talking about “GOD’S GREAT PEARL,” what God treasures above all things, and what God was willing to give His all in order to purchase and possess – and that is you, His dear people of faith. For there is no question that:
I. God’s Great Pearl And Treasure Is His Kingdom, His Redeemed People Of Faith
A. That Means You Are God’s Treasured Possession
OT Lesson: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set His love on you and chose you. It is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that He swore to your fathers. . . . Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God Who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
B. God Has Chosen You And Brought You Into His Kingdom
Epistle Lesson: “Those whom God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called [to faith], and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.”
C. God Has Given His All To Redeem Us And Reclaim Us – The Life Of His Beloved Son
Matt. 3:16,17 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said: ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”
D. And So God Also Gives Us All Things, All Blessings
Epistle: “He Who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also along with Him graciously give us all things? . . . We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Statement: We might, in view of what we see in ourselves and in other people, question God’s judgment in deeming us His treasured possession. That is part of the mystery of God’s great love, His steadfast love. But it is no mystery that this is how God views us! From the very beginning God treasured and loved human beings – all human beings, and especially those who return to Him in repentance and allow Him to embrace them with His love and redemption.
Application: This is you – you who believe. You know what great price God has paid for us, for our redemption. You know the love of Jesus! You are “GOD’S GREAT PEARL,” and now you also have “all things” graciously given to you by God. You have His protection, His providence – He is working all things together for your good and blessedness!
I don’t have a great appreciation for pearls. I likely would pass on purchasing one of great price. But it is a horrid shame that we do not value the “kingdom of heaven,” the church of God, as the precious pearl that God has purchased! We do not have to purchase it – God has purchased us. And because of this we are blessed eternally! Dear brothers and sisters, let us see not only our own worth and value to the Heavenly Father, but also the worth and value of our fellow believers!
Transition: You heard what the Apostle Paul wrote – that those whom God called to faith He justified and glorified. We do not see the glory now – sadly – even though it is already happening. But this much is certain, that:
II. In The End All Will See The Distinction That God Makes Between His Beloved People And Those Who Reject Him
Text: “So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Statement: Well, the distinction can already be seen – if we have the correct criteria and are looking for the right things. Unbelievers have no chance of seeing the distinction here and now, for they do not know God or the blessings of God. We, however, who are God’s treasured possession, His “GREAT PEARL,” we should be able to see how we and our fellow believers are in fact being “conformed to the image of His Son.”
Application: For this we give constant thanks and praise to God, even in the midst of the trials, troubles, and tribulations of this earthly life. It’s okay – He is taking care of all things, so that nothing can ultimately harm us, and everything must ultimately be a blessing for us! He has given His all for us, and along with His Son freely gives us all things. Thanks and praise be to God!
Conclusion: I do not value the kingdom of heaven as I should – none of us does. We would not sell all that we have to gain these blessings – we are weak, prone to idolatry, the love of money and other things. But God does value us most highly, and He has paid the ultimate price for us. He has purchased and redeemed us. Our sins are forgiven, and we are justified by the blood of Christ, glorified as God’s dear children of faith.
As we learn to incorporate these realities into our hearts and minds we do begin to treasure the kingdom of heaven, and what God has done to make us part of it! In the end we will value the kingdom of heaven more highly than anything – for it is our glorious destiny and inheritance, by the grace of God. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.