From: Su Min
My dear family and friends,
Today we look at Matthew_13:45_Jesus says..
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great
value, he went way and sold everything he had and bought it.
Again, this parable has been seen from two angles: we, the church, being the pearl, redeemed at great
cost, or Jesus, the Pearl of great value which to gain will cost us all we treasure.
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
The Greek word used in this text for the verb "seek" is "zeto", dzay-teh-o; (Strong's concordance #2212) to
seek (lit or fig), to worship, go about desiring, endeavouring, enquiring, requiring, seeking. There seems
to be an emotional element to the search, a yearning, as if it were earnestly required to find that which is
sought.
Behold, the merchant is looking, searching, seeking for goodly pearls.
There is but one old testament reference to pearls: Job_29:18,_KJV. The Hebrew word Strong's
Concordance #1378 gabiysh, from an unused root, probably meaning to freeze, crystal, from its
resemblance to ice, pearl. the NIV interprets the same word as jasper.
Pearls abound in the new testament.
The last reference Revelation_21:21_is spectacular: look it up.
And finally, one day, we come face to face with Him. On our knees we fall.
There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke_15:9)
And all the saints and angels join me in saying AMEN!
Subject: Pearl
The kingdom of heaven is not for those who are not searching.
Those who are not searching will never find.
Those who will not perceive will look but will not see.
Those who will not hear will listen but will not comprehend.
If they do not recognise they are sick, they will not seek the Physician.
If they do not recognise that they are poor in spirit they will not seek spiritual riches.
If they are pumped up full of self righteousness, they will not be justified before God (Luke_18:9-14)
The merchant knows his trade.
He can recognise good pearls and bad pearls,
natural pearls and cultured pearls,
real pearls and false simulated ones,
genuine pearls and virtual pearls.
He compare and contrasts, evaluates and appraise,
judge and assess each and every item of interest he comes across.
Oh, I am longing to get to heaven. See you beyond the pearly gates!
The merchant seeks, searches with passion to find valuable pearls.
He know they are out there.
He knows where are the likely places to look.
Petty traders are only shown petty stuff.
High rollers, dealers of the heavy and expensive stuff are lead into the inner of inner chambers to be
shown the exquisite stuff.
His persistence finally is rewarded.
Joy of joys. He finds a pearl of great value.
It can not be very small. It must be very beautiful. It must be very expensive.
The vendor names an astronomic price.
The merchant does not quibble.
The merchant does not bargain.
He knows that the pearl is worth every cent asked for.
He does not have money with him.
He does not have the money in the bank.
He can not raise such a sum on credit alone.
He went way and sold everything he had and
returning triumphant, and with great joy bought the object of his desire.
You and I are that merchant, beloved.
Planted into our sinful heart is that desire to seek Jesus, the pearl of great value.
We plough through life looking for Him.
We know He will bring us love.
We know He will bring us peace.
We know He will bring us comfort.
We know He will bring us compassion.
We know He will bring us guarding and guiding.
We know He will bring us redemption.
We know He will bring us forgiveness.
We know He will bring us eternal life.
We ask "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke_18:18)
Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me. (Luke_18:22)
I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he can not see the kingdom of God (John_3:3)
There comes a time when we come face to face with our Saviour.
The aweful price has already been paid for our sins.
Come follow me.
Are you prepared to be born again?
Will you throw off the cloak of selfishness?
Self centredness, foolish pride are often the greatest obstacles to salvation.
If the three most important people in the world are I, me and myself, then I am far, far, far from the
kingdom of heaven.
For some it is an obsessive relationship: children: mother: an extramarital relationship.
For others it is an obsessive attachment to things material.
The job.
Office power.
Politics.
The car
The house.
Golf.
The computer.
Sex.
Alcohol.
Pornography.
Shopping.
Jewellery.
Are you prepared to surrender them all
Sell them
Give to the poor
Buy for your self the Pearl of Great Value.
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value,
he went way and sold everything he had and bought it.
Go, Sell, Give.
Then Come: Follow Me.
Blessed
is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord
and on his law he meditates day and night
He is like a tree planted by streams of water
which yield its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
(Psalms_1:1-3)
The message of the cross is foolishness to those
who are perishing, but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God.
(1_Corinthians_1:18)
For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min
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