Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; Verse 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." Verse 33He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
Verse 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Verse 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; Verse 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Verse 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; Verse 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. Verse 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous Verse 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Verse 51"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." Verse 52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Devotion
The comparison that Jesus makes in v. 45 is very interesting. If God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant searching for a pearl, then who is the flawless specimen for which he sells everything? Depending on how you read this passage, it could be that we are the perfect pearl the jewel merchant is looking for. We are not perfect in reality, but in Christ all of our flaws are mended and our brokenness is made whole. We may seem like a plastic bead according to the world’s standards, but in the eyes of God we are a beautiful pearl.
A pearl is only worth what someone will pay for it. Jesus loved you enough to give up all he had for you. His sacrifice makes you valuable. Our value does not come from our own efforts, but from the selfless love of a man who walked the earth generations ago.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for sending your son to right the wrongs of the world and to mend the brokenness in our lives. Amen.