A Question Of Worth

Matthew 13:45-46
45..."the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Have you ever heard this verse used in a sermon where the preacher told you, in a mildly reproachful tone, that following Jesus requires you to give up everything?  Next you're informed, "You've gotta love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind," right?

Inevitably, the next question they ask you is, "Are you willing to give up everything to follow Him?  Are you willing to count the cost?  Be like the merchant in the parable who sold ALL that he had to buy that pearl of great price? Do you love Jesus that much?"  You know what they're implying, right?  That you don't measure up and God is angry with you as if somehow we must prove ourselves worthy of His love.

Yes, that phrase is in the Bible and, yes, Jesus actually said those things.  That was what the Law required.  But truth is, we can't love Him like that.  We try as hard as we can.....and fall flat on our faces!  

You and I are poor, blind and naked.  We don't have any money or anything of value to trade for that pearl or anything else of value. 

But that's what happens when self-righteous men put "man" in the center of the picture, making it all about us.  The truth is, this parable isn't about you and I AT ALL.  It isn't about you selling all that you have to buy it. The Hero in this story, the merchant, is Jesus! You and I the pearl!  He gave up all He had to buy us back.  It's all about JESUS!!!  

That's how much we are worth to God. We are that precious in His sight! Our Father isn't looking at you and I to see how much we love Jesus or insisting that we prove how devoted we are. He loved us while we were yet sinners, totally UN-lovable.  

Church:  It's not a question of worthiness.  It's a question of worth.