(This passage is also referenced in Luke 8:16-18 and Mark 4:21-29, 33-34)

I always thought that pearls were pure white mineral deposits found inside oyster shells that are used in the making of jewellery and other things but I was not quite right. They are actually found in a number of different kinds of shell-dwelling creatures and may be found in different colours including red and black. Clearly white is the most common colour while others are more valuable due to their rarity. So when Jesus spoke of a pearl of great value he might well have been talking about one of those unusual ones especially since he drew a parallel against some great treasure found in a field.

I find myself wondering how I would respond to such a find? Would I give up everything to own it? Would I make sacrifices in order to have that most precious thing? And, if I owned it what would that bring to my life? How would it make things better?

Of course the treasure Jesus spoke of wasn’t a material thing at all it was about finding God and salvation in His Son, Jesus – the one who told the parable. So when we study this account we have to remember that this isn’t about physical things at all but the parallel does, like the aforementioned oyster, need to be prised from its shell and consumed by us.

The discovery of great treasure might well have a price. There will inevitably be things that we need to sacrifice in order to take ownership of the prize. Perhaps committing ourselves to a life in Christ might mean giving up certain habits like considering how we conduct ourselves in our dealings with others, or the way we value material things or money, or the way we invest in relationships, or perhaps in cutting out the indulgences we allow ourselves. That is not saying that life must be dull and boring but sometimes they’re things that aren’t compatible with a Biblical lifestyle.

Matthew’s reference to a householder bringing new things from his store alongside the old (v.52) has echoes of the Old Testament law about it. Jesus said He hadn’t come to change the law but to fulfil it (Matt5:17). So He wanted the people to be excited about the new things (treasure and pearls) He was teaching but to remember that the old things were important too.

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Heavenly Father, teach me to value the things that are important. Help me so seek out the treasure that is found in You and to have the strength to sacrifice what is necessary to have it. Amen.