One in a Million

“Again, 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.”
Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)

A perfect, natural pearl is a rare find indeed.  In fact, for a natural pearl to form, with a perfectly rounded shape, free of any flaws, is actually a real life ‘miracle’.  The odds of it happening are one in a million.

How many people, down through the ages have stumbled across fine pearls and failed to appreciate their true value?  But here was a man who not only knew the value of a pearl, but was in constant search of them.  Here was a man actively looking and seeking. This was his whole pleasure and purpose in life.  When he had found the one pearl of great price, he knew his searching days were over.  He need look no more.  As far as fine pearls were concerned, he had found that one in a million.

Isaiah instructs us to, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6).  Yet, there are few who actively seek God today.  Even among those who believe, there are many who fail to appreciate the true value of God’s free gift of salvation in Christ.

When the merchant in the above parable found the pearl of great price, he gave all that he had in exchange for it.  He was clearly no ordinary trader.  He was a true discerner of value.  Instead of searching for the one thing that is of the utmost value, too many Christians seek after the things they want and believe they need, and go to great efforts to obtain them.  But Jesus tells us to do the opposite:  “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” he says, “and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).

Let’s remember that all we could ever hope for or need in life is available to us when we seek God’s Kingdom first.  Be a faithful and fruitful servant of God, be that one in a million.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, please help us to always trust in you as we follow Jesus’ instruction to seek your Kingdom first in our lives.  Help us also to truly value and prize the salvation we have been given through faith in your Son.
Amen 

Study by Richard Dempsey

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About the Author:
Richard Dempsey is an Elder in the Peterborough congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
PETERBOROUGH
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Saturday 2 pm

Local Congregational Contact:
Alan Quinn
Email: quinnsatfarcet@aol.com