DEVOTION – DAY 146

Matthew 13:45-46 “Our Greatest Treasure”

 

Matt.13:45-46 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

 

Jesus used this parable to show what someone would do if they come across something of great value to them. Jesus was teaching that for someone who wanted to go to heaven one day to be with God, they would have to deal with the problem of sin. The only way to go to heaven was to confess they were sinners and by believing in Him as Lord and Savior. This is the gospel message in a nutshell. In Jesus’ parable, the pearl of great value was a symbol of the gospel message. Jesus was challenging His followers to give up their sinful past, because the gospel was worth giving up everything for it. Just as a merchant had to sell everything to buy the pearl of great value, people must be willing to give up their sinful past, bad habits, and old way of living. They must be willing to take the gospel message to their hearts and follow Jesus. We know that people would be willing to make great sacrifices if they think the end result was worth it. Spending eternity with Jesus in Heaven is definitely worth it.

Prince Oscar was the second son of King Oscar II of Sweden. He was the second in line of succession to the throne of Sweden when he was born in 1859. He served in the Swedish Navy for 25 years and rose to the rank of Vice Admiral. Prince Oscar fell in love with a commoner, a lady in waiting to the Crown Princess. Her name was Ebba Munck and she was a devout Christian. Prince Oscar’s love for Ebba scandalized his family. The King asked the Prince to take a two-year separation period from Ebba as he reconsidered thoughts of marrying Ebba. After the two-year period was over, Prince Oscar told the King that he wanted to marry Ebba as his love for her remained. Prince Oscar was willing to give up his royal title and rights to the succession to the throne. The Swedish constitution at that time did not allow royalty to marry a commoner. Prince Oscar was willing to become a commoner himself to marry Ebba. He married her in England and the wedding was attended by some family members. He later returned to Sweden and he and his wife remained active serving God. They founded a missionary organization in Sweden. Prince Oscar was willing to sacrifice everything because he wanted Ebba who was his treasure and whom he knew would ground him spiritually. In the same way, we must also be prepared to sacrifice everything in order to follow Jesus – our past, our sins, our habits and live a life of obedience because having Jesus in our lives is worth it.

Let us pray: Dear Father, thank you for giving Jesus to us as our Lord and Savior. He is indeed our greatest treasure. Please help us to willingly surrender our sinful past and habits so that we can be changed to be more like Him. In the precious name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Share how and why Jesus is your greatest treasure.
  2. To follow Jesus, we must be prepared to give up sins, bad habits, prejudices, judgmental attitudes and so on. What are some of these things that the Lord is asking you to give up in order to follow Him?
  3. What is the one thing you found hardest to give up in order to follow Jesus but looking back now, it was worth it? Share.
  4. How can you share the treasure that is Jesus with others this week?