|

A Short Story that Speaks Volumes
for Our Lives
Jesus said, “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 13:45, 46).
Have you found the perfect Christmas gift for that special
someone yet? If so, what makes it perfect? Is
it perfect because it’s unique, like handcrafted pottery? Is
it perfect because it fits the personality of the individual
for whom you bought it, like a plaid shirt for the lumberjack
in your family?
What if you find the perfect gift only to discover that
it’s beyond your budget? Would you sell your
car, your house, everything you own to obtain THE perfect
gift?
Jesus once told a parable about a pearl-dealer whose goal
was to find the perfect pearl. When he found it, he
sold all that he owned so he could buy his treasured find.
The perfect pearl represents the message of salvation found
in the Bible. This message is perfect because it tells
us everything we need to know for this life and the next. The
Bible tells us that all have sinned and deserve God’s
eternal punishment in hell. But the Bible also says
that Jesus came to take that punishment – like your
next-door neighbor paying for the fire damage that your hastily
strung Christmas lights did to her house. Because
of Jesus our sins are paid for and forgiven!
This message is not only perfect; it’s one of a kind. There
are plenty of places you can look for the answers to life’s
questions, but the only place you’ll find the perfect
pearl is in the Bible. We would be glad to share with
you the treasure that God has for us in his Word. The
Bible appears to be like any other book, but within there
is a precious message that exceeds everything we’ve
known. It’s like the person who pries open a
dull clamshell and finds a glowing pearl nestled within that’s
worth more than any other.
A pearl in a clamshell! That’s often how God works. He
comes to us in unlikely places to give us his love. Could
that be illustrated any more beautifully than it is at Christmas? At
Christmas, the Son of God, our Savior, was born … in
a barn! And then this Jesus willingly gave up his life
on the cross to pay for our sins and win us a place in heaven. This
message is God’s priceless, perfect gift for us!
|