The theme of the Kingdom of God predominates the Gospel of Matthew and chapter 13 has a few parables relating to this Kingdom- its beginnings, growth and its consummation at the end of age. 

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value (Matt 13:44-46) have been interpreted by many as the cost of giving up everything one has, for the Kingdom. Having understood the intrinsic, invaluable worth of the Kingdom, the man/ the merchant sold all that he had to obtain it!

Yet there is a more profound meaning we can find to these great parables. The man who found the great treasure and the merchant who found the pearl of great price is the picture of Jesus Christ who finding each of us of great worth, gave all He had to purchase us for Himself! 
 

Two questions for us to consider:

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1. Why are we of great value?
    

2. What did Christ pay to purchase us?

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Our worth to GOD: In Genesis 1:27 we read, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”  Each of us carries the image of our Creator! His has put His stamp of ownership on each of our lives!!! Isn’t that amazing? Ephesians 2:10 says we are His workmanship; Psalm 139:14 says, we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Just as a weaver spins each strand of thread into the beautiful weaving he makes, the Grand Weaver* of our lives has knit us carefully in our mother’s womb and brought us forth as the crown of His creation! (ref. Ps. 139:13; Ps.8:4). He knows even the number of hairs on my head- I don’t!! (Luke 12:6,7). 

All His Worth for us: God found His creation of great value that He was willing to give His Son to redeem sinful man who walked away in disobedience from Him. He allowed His Son to take up the cruel punishment of the sins each of us committed against Him by letting Him die on the Cross on our behalf! Jesus Christ was willing to leave the glorious life in heaven, “emptied himself “and took the human form in order to redeem us! (Phil.2:7). He gave all that He had for us- even His precious blood without the stain of sin! 1 Peter 1:18-19 says: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Why would He do that? Because He loved you and me as the pearl of great value- to be made His treasure!

Dear brother/sister, have you considered your life as of no value; your self as having no worth, rejected by your peers, looked down upon by others above you? Today, you need to see yourself as that PEARL OF GREAT VALUE, for whom Jesus Christ was willing to pay the great price of His life to redeem you! Its not just enough to see yourself like that- you need to give your life to Him that He may polish you- for all His worth to be displayed on your life! Only He can give you that added worth your life has when you acknowledge the great price, He paid to purchase you as His own! 

Would you, the pearl of great value allow His image to shine forth through you?
 

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*Ravi Zacharias

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Prayer:

“LORD Jesus, I am awed by Your love for

me that You found me of great value to give

Your life to save me. Lord, I am Yours!”

Listen- 'I am Yours'