Matthew 13 : 45 – 46 (KJV)
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The pearl of great price represents none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Long time ago, pearls were the most precious commodity; more highly valued than diamonds are today.
Pearls were very valuable. “They were the richest merchandise of all,” says Pliny, “and the most sovereign commodity throughout the whole world.” Pliny speaks of one pearl that Cleopatra had, which was valued at £80,000 sterling. The Persian Emperor had one worth £110,000; and Philip II of Spain, had one valued at 144,000 ducats. They have ever been highly valued, and men would part with all to possess them.
Pearls were greatly valued. There were many people who lost their lives diving for these oysters. Both the beauty and the scarcity of the pearl made it extremely valuable, and people often gave all of their money and belongings to possess just one priceless pearl.
The Bible likens a man who searches for a beautiful pearl, and after he found it, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. This is who Christ is to us. Nothing can be compared to glory of having and knowing Christ Jesus.
Christ is the reason for our existence. He is our source and sustainer. God is our great joy. He is our pearl of a great price. He is our person and substance of great rarity and worth.
A pearl is beautiful, rare and priceless. A pearl is a timeless and endless cherished possession. This is who God is to us. He is our pearl of a great price.
We must not focus on healing, that we forget the healer; We must not focus on provision, that we forget the provider; We must not focus on salvation, that we forget the Saviour; rather than focusing on His gifts or what He can provide for us, we must find our greatest pleasure in God Himself and delight in the Lord.
Psalm 34: 7 (ESV)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
To “delight oneself in the Lord” means to find the greatest joy, deepest pleasure and highest satisfaction in God himself. To delight oneself in the Lord means to count all things as gibberish for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
Psalm 43: 4 (KJV)
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
If you have received Christ, the Pearl of great Price, stay in Him, rooted and grounded, search and seek after him diligently, like a treasure He is. The kingdom of heaven in us is our greatest treasure.
Today recognize Christ Jesus as your greatest treasure and asset, your pearl of great price. Treat Him with utmost respect and attention. Christ is my great joy. He is the my pearl of a great price. Halleluyah!
DECLARATION
Christ is my greatest joy and deepest pleasure and highest satisfaction. He is my great joy, and my pearl of great price. Today, I treat Him as the treasure He is to me. I part away with everything for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Matthew 6: 33; 1 Peter 2: 9 – 10
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