Have you ever thought about the one most precious thing in your life would be?  And, I’m talking about a material – physical thing.  For example, as I have pondered this question, I think it might would be my wedding band.  Not because it is worth a ton of money (and it isn’t), but what it symbolizes for me – the union between me and my husband.  If I were to lose it, it would be heart-breaking for me.

In Matthew 13:44-52, Jesus continues to talk to the people in parables or stories.  He does this to help the people understand the point that he is trying to make.  However, he leaves the parable open for interpretation.  I believe this was done intentionally so that God can speak to us in different ways.  Often, there is no right or wrong answer to what Jesus is trying to say, but what is important, is how you hear it, how you perceive it, and how you can apply it to your life.

In this parable in Matthew, Jesus is telling the people what the Kingdom of Heaven is like…Well, it’s like finding the one most precious pearl that is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and you sell everything you have just to own it. Or, the Kingdom of Heaven is like fishing and catching every kind of fish in the sea and being able to throw out the bad ones and keep the good ones.  And again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like finding treasure hidden in a field and you sell everything you have just to have that treasure.

And so, what is the treasure?  What is the significance of the most precious pearl?  Jesus gives us a hint at the end of his parables.  He says, “Every scribe who is trained for the Kingdom of Heaven is like a master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matthew 13:52-53).  What is Old and what is New is the Word of God!  God’s Word is the treasure that we are to value and love more than anything!  It is how we are to teach our little ones who God is and it is how we get to know God!  The Word of God brings us into a close relationship with God and our Lord and Savior.

Let us pray, Gracious and Loving God, you gave us your Word – both the Word of Old and the Word of Jesus Christ – the new. Help us to dig into your Word every chance we get so that we get to know you more deeply.  We love you so much, Amen.