By Nick Dalgety
Good morning everyone. I have an honest question that I ask myself, often daily. What is my pearl of great price? Or for that matter Who do I look to as my pearl of great price?
The Great Decision in Life:
I want to share about an important choice we are called to make in life. I thought the potted palm tree above will help. It shows one frond veering to the left and one to the right. Like a fork in the road and which direction will I head in.
First, I want to touch on what the Bible refers to as the kingdom of heaven. Yeshua was with His disciples and He draws on parables to explain what the kingdom is like. One of the parables is of The Pearl of Great Price.
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. [MATTHEW 14:45-46]
The merchant seeking after truth
Note that the merchant in this passage is diligently searching; seeking for an answer to life’s mysteries. Discovering the most precious of pearls he is willing to give up all that he has for this pearl! Got Questions shares more about this parable, here.
What of the Worldly Merchant?
God also speaks of this fallen World. I believe the Merchant of the World operates to a different set of values. John the apostle in his first epistle speaks about such a merchant who has a love of the world or the things in the world. He goes on to say that all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is of the world.
He who has the pearl of great price will know eternal life in heaven with Yeshua, the promised Messiah for the believing Jew… and Gentile! This parable is a mystery and discovered by those who earnestly seek Him. The pearl speaks of redemption and salvation through Yeshua, alone. Continued searching earching for other pearls is futile. It is like searching for life in religion when life eternal lies in relationship with Yeshua.
The one who chooses to remain a merchant of this world, remains under condemnation.
We do well to consider the plight of the worldly merchant spoken of in Chapter 18 of the book of Revelation where judgment comes on that great city Babylon and all who trade with her:
...Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo anymore…. The fruit you long for has left you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and people will no longer find them. The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning.. [REVELATION 18: 10, 14-15]
Though I do not deserve it I have chosen that pearl of great price. What about you?
About the Author
Nick Dalgety is a Kiwi born in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. In recent times my wife and I have made Nelson in the top of the South Island home.
My day job involves working with people making a living from land and sea. In my spare time my passion is taking pictures that celebrate what is iconic about Aotearoa New Zealand. Inevitably this involves discovering amazing people, in their special place making and doing what they do best.
When travelling overseas, I often seek out similar experiences. I created Provenance101 to share these experiences.
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