| Matthew 13:45 – “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” |
A sower went out to sow. A merchant in search of fine pearls. A man with two sons asked them to work for him. A young son asked for his inheritance. A woman with ten coins lost one. The mustard seed is the smallest of seeds. Jesus taught about God by reaching out and pulling in simple life experiences that were common to all. And then he says “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Baptism is more than getting wet. It is a death, burial, and resurrection. The old, fleshly guy dies, and in his place, a new, spiritual man arises. And we receive a wonderful gift…the Holy Spirit. He opens our eyes to a spiritual world that is all around us, and has always been. We see the lion on the prowl to devour us, and we see a God who does not wish for any to perish. As we study God’s word, He helps us to understand it. Some read it and it makes no sense. Sometimes I read it and for the first time I get a new meaning that is like a breath of fresh air. On our wedding day, I was running last minute errands all day with my best man and another groomsman. I told my best man that “in finding my wife, I felt like the pearl merchant Jesus talked about who found the pearl of great price, and upon finding it, sold everything he had in order to buy it.” Later that day, as Robert Oglesby, our minister, began our wedding ceremony, he said this. “A merchant who sought fine pearls found a very great pearl.” He compared our marriage to that parable. I had not told him what I mentioned to my best man. I turned my head to my best man, Stan Clark, and nodded my head. He got my message. God’s word is the best of helpers to show us the way to life. And so many of the everyday events that we live through are trying to lead us to life as well. What am I seeing? Father in heaven, thank You for the train of clues You have laid down for us, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
– Jeff Beall
