In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus introduces an incredible parable, one I love so much, but that I had misunderstood for so long. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” 

What a powerful picture of God’s love for you! 

I really want you to see this clearly because, for many years as a younger Christian, I misunderstood this parable—I imagined that Jesus was the pearl of great price and we, Christians, were to sell everything to obtain Him. 

I’ve got news for you: Jesus isn’t for sale. But your soul was! 

The parable in Matthew 13 begins, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls.” We are not the merchant. God is the merchant. We weren’t seeking Him. The Bible says that Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost—that’s you and me! And pearls—plural—He’s not seeking just one, but every one of us! Since the fall of mankind, God’s plan is unfolding, to find and redeem each and every pearl of great price. 

From bondage to sin, from the wiles of the devil, from the power of your hurts and your past, God bought you back. Jesus traded the most valuable thing in the world—His blood—for you. 

1 Peter 1:18-19 declares: 

“You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 

What makes your soul so valuable? FOUR THINGS . . . 

Number one, the design of your soul makes it valuable. 

You have been created in the image and likeness of God, designed to be like Him with all the creativity, problem-solving skills, thoughts, and speech He’s gifted us with. No robot can ever replace us, and no computer can do what you and I can do because they don’t have a soul that God can breathe life into. 

Number two, the Designer of your soul makes it valuable. 

“Made in His image”; who is He? He is the Designer, Creator, and Sustainer
of all things. God isn’t some knockoff of a name-brand. Your soul has the real Designer’s label on it; you are the genuine article. And you are not an accident. It doesn’t matter how you came into this world or who your parents were—you came into this world through your parents, but you came from God. You were His idea. The Almighty, the Infinite, the Eternal; you are His most prized possession! 

Number three, the durability of your soul makes it valuable. 

When you buy something, say a car or a household appliance, you want to purchase something that will last. Nobody wants to spend money on something only to have to replace it soon. Our bodies will die, but our soul, made in the image of God, will exist forever. 

Number four, the demand for your soul makes it valuable. 

Do you know what makes a certain restaurant or a certain product more valuable than another? Demand. Greater demand means greater value. Your soul is in great demand. Satan wants it. He’s come to steal, kill, and destroy your soul. But God wants it, too. And He’s paid for it! 

This is how highly God values you! 

Rest in this truth. 

He designed you in His image. He made your soul of everlasting material. He sought you. He purchased you—all because He loves you. You are the beautiful pearl of great price!

If you would like to hear my full message, “The Pearl of Great Price,” click here.