The Kingdom of Heaven

A couple of years back, I was at a park sitting under a picnic shelter overlooking a reservoir. I was reading my bible and working on a school assignment. I noticed 2 canoes, each with older couples paddling along the lake path. Eventually, they docked and got out. They had thick accents, and I overheard them mention that they needed to use the restrooms.

As they trekked past, they all said good morning, but one of the men noticed I had a Bible, and stopped. We began to talk, and he asked if I knew about the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. I said yes, and he continued.

"Most people interpret these verses by saying the merchant is us and the pearl of great price is Jesus, but that is not true. The merchant is actually Jesus, and the pearl is us."

He paused, asked me for my name, and then said,

"Jesus was the merchant who was seeking beautiful and precious pearls, and when He found you, Caroline, He went and sold all he had and purchased you with His own blood."

I instantly knew the Lord had brought me to this park on this day to hear from this man to remind me that the Lord knows what is going on in my life and that He cares deeply for me.

“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 ‭

Just as the Lord cares for me, He also cares for you. Insert your own name within this passage. He understands the situations we face and is there to comfort and be present with us. Turn to Him in your time of need.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

For the believers who already have a relationship with Him, I pray that this post may be an encouragement in your walk with Christ.

For those who are not, all that this world has to offer will eventually lead to dissatisfaction and death. There is hope, love, forgiveness, and freedom found in the work of Jesus Christ. He was obedient to the cross and gave up His own life so that our sins could be forgiven, and so we could live eternally with Him. Jesus loves you. He, and only He, can satisfy your every desire. I pray that we would all come to realize this and turn from sin and to Jesus.

#jesuslovesyou #pearl