Elaine Pierce
Jun 302 min
by Elaine Pierce
In verse 51 of today's passage, after Jesus tells his disciples three short parables, he asks them a simple question,"Have you understood all these things?" They are quick to reply "Yes." Jesus is entrusting them with the message of good news, of salvation to all who believe. Now we know that the disciples might have thought they understood everything Jesus had taught them, but their behavior rarely reflected that truth. Oh, how much like the disciples I am! I know in my head what I should do, but my actions, my thoughts, my behavior betray my selfish, sinful spirit.
I have a friend who loves to antique. She browses flea markets and auctions, searching high and low for hidden treasures. She is particularly interested in old clocks, and she can tell you what makes a clock valuable and what makes a clock just old junk. It doesn't happen often, but when she finds one that is worth a lot of money, she is delighted, and she adds it to her collection.
These three parables illustrate how incredibly value we are to God. Just like the man who sells everything to buy the field, and the merchant who finds the priceless pearl and sells all he has to buy it: God searches until he finds us. He pays the ultimate price - the sacrifice of his son on the cross - to save us. And yes, dear friends, there will be a day of reckoning; the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (v. 50).
Let's humbly ask God to give us eyes to see and hearts to do his work. We are precious in his sight, and he has redeemed us with the blood of Jesus. Thanks be to God!
Lord, you pursue me. You long for me to sit at your feet and worship you. You love me beyond measure. I cannot fathom such love, such unmerited favor. Thank you for this gift, and help me day by day to live a live that reflects your love, your grace and your mercy. Amen.