Devotionals

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What is something that you support with a passion? Perhaps you’re a sports nut or music fan and think nothing of standing in line for hours to buy a ticket to the next event or game. Maybe you collect certain items and travel the countryside in search of your next acquisition. Possibly, you have a goal to become an expert in some field of work and spend countless hours in study and preparation. The list could go on and on with the obsessions of which we expend enormous energy pursuing. I would venture that every one of us has a zeal for something that makes us do seemingly crazy things.

Yet, we don’t think we are acting in an irrational manner as we chase after the stuff of our dreams. Why is this? It is because we have deemed the object of our desire as being highly valuable. We would do anything to acquire our treasure. In our eyes, the drive to achieve our goal is worth the cost. The price we pay means little in exchange for being able to realize our aspirations.

While there are things of this world that are noble and worthy of our support, they are nothing when compared to the kingdom of heaven. Yet, most people don’t view it this way. I suspect even some Christians struggle with this concept.

Do you regard the kingdom of heaven as a highly valued treasure? In Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV), the text reads, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

We see in these verses a man who understands the value of different pearls. He would be considered an expert in judging the merit of any pearl. When he came across a pearl of exceedingly great worth, he knew what he had to do. He had to acquire the priceless item. Selling all he had, he purchased the pearl.

But just what is the spiritual meaning behind these verses? Surely we don’t buy our way into the kingdom. I believe this passage says that being a part of God’s kingdom is priceless. Certainly, Jesus has made a way for us to be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. While we can’t pay for access to the kingdom through works or anything else, we should consider all things as rubbish as compared to knowing Jesus and His saving grace.

Furthermore, we are to esteem the quest of the kingdom of heaven as our top priority in all of life. Being a kingdom citizen is worth all that we have and all that we are. Each and every day, we should be willing to follow after Jesus by setting aside our selfish desires. Indeed, it is not about the cost that we incur, but it is about the exceedingly wonderful treasure that we chase after.

Understand that Jesus is the Pearl of Great Price. He has made it possible for us to become citizens of heaven. We are to pursue Him and His kingdom with all of our hearts, souls, minds and bodies.

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