In 2017, a highly sought-after Leonardo DaVinci painting became the most valuable item ever sold at auction to an individual buyer, for a price tag of 450 million dollars. That’s far more than the value of everything I own, and personally, I can’t fathom ever spending that much on one pretty picture, even if I could afford it. For one discerning art collector, however, it was the opportunity of a lifetime!
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46
In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus tells a powerful, one-sentence parable about a similar all-for-one trade. A merchant finds a rare and valuable pearl, the kind he has been searching for, and gladly sells all he has to acquire it. To an onlooker, it might seem foolish to give up everything for one thing, but it is clear that because of the exceedingly great value of this pearl, it was wisdom, not foolishness, for the merchant to make this trade. Jesus specifically identifies the man as a merchant, which indicates that when he sold everything, it included not only his personal possessions but his professional wares, as well. This man was willing to abandon not only what he already owned but all that he might have the potential to acquire in the future, so certain was he that nothing else would ever compare to this priceless treasure!
Jesus tells his listeners from the start that the Parable of the Pearl, like the preceding parables in Matthew 13, is about the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is a term used interchangeably in the gospels with the Kingdom of God, and it signifies eternal life under God’s perfect rule and reign. Now, although the merchant sold his possessions to buy the pearl, which represents the Kingdom, Scripture is clear that entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is not something we can purchase, bargain for, or earn—it is a gift of grace that only Jesus’ death on the cross could secure for us (Ephesians 2:8). And yet, Jesus made it plain to those who would consider following Him that His Kingdom does come with a cost (Luke 14:33), one the merchant was gladly willing to pay. The cost: total commitment.
The merchant’s wholehearted pursuit reveals that to possess the priceless treasure of Christ and His Kingdom, we don’t need to pay for it, we need to prioritize it. God’s presence in our lives is more than a mere accessory. If we want it, we’ve got to go all in! This is a joyful exchange, not a sorrowful one, for those who, like the merchant, understand what they’re getting in return. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” Jesus said, “and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When we prioritize meeting our own needs, we come up short, but when we prioritize the things of God, we get all of it!
The merchant’s wholehearted pursuit reveals that to possess the priceless treasure of Christ and His Kingdom, we don’t need to pay for it, we need to prioritize it.
Not only does Jesus promise provision for the practical needs of those who prioritize His Kingdom, but that Kingdom also comes with incomparable riches such as righteousness, peace, joy, salvation, power, and glory (Romans 14:17, Revelation 12:10, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:12). These are better and more lasting versions of all that we were seeking in the first place, an inheritance that, unlike earthy treasures, will never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:4). And it’s only the beginning!
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
It’s true, however, that this pearl comes at a great price. In fact, the modern church has likely done a disservice to many by not being upfront about the cost of following Jesus. Out of fear of being confrontational about the all-or-nothing nature of the gospel, we misleadingly present Jesus as a nice, inspirational add-on to people’s lives, thereby filling our pews, and sometimes our leadership positions, with unconverted, fair-weather followers of Jesus. This creates a host of problems for both those inside the church and for the world outside its walls. It also does a disservice to those fair-weather followers. Understandably, when people are primed to think something is going to be easy, they’re going to be quick to walk away when it gets inconvenient, or try to alter the terms. But while Jesus is incredibly patient with us in our slowness and fumbling, both before and after we decide to follow him, ultimately he is not content with half-hearted commitment, and the road will be bumpy enough to require us to prove that we mean it. The way of the Kingdom of God is at odds with the ways of the world and the desires our flesh, and we have to choose which way we will go.
Following Jesus will mean leaving things behind: our comfort, wealth, reputation, relationships, dreams, even our lives. But even such a costly trade is no loss when we consider what we gain: eternal life with Jesus in the Kingdom of God, and all the glorious treasures that accompany it! Jesus even promises to restore a hundredfold anything we’ve given up for him.
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29
That treasured Leonardo DaVinci painting? It was a portrait of Jesus. (Really!) And the Parable of the Pearl? It was a promise from Jesus that whatever it costs us to prioritize His Kingdom, it will be worth it. If we, like the merchant, recognize what a precious treasure we’ve found, we’ll know that trading all our earthly treasures for the joy of having Jesus is neither a gamble nor a sacrifice. It’s a trade worth making.