Glenn Howe
The greatest treasure
Text to Learn: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ - John 3:16
In Western Australia la merchant man arrived who was an expert in pearls. He could tell at a glance the true nature and worth of a pearl. Throughout the years he had learned to know the value of such attractive commodities. He had come with a mission to seek for treasure in the matter of pearls.
One day he heard of an old gentleman who owned a beautiful pearl which was considered priceless. With great expectancy he approached the little village by the sea shore and enquired at the local post office about the person with this choice factor. He was given his address.
Up the winding hill. Opened the gate at the entrance to the long winding path that led to a rose covered door of the prettiest little cottage he thought bhe had ever seen. It seemed an eternity after he had knocked that he heard any movement in the cottage and then slowly, the door opened and a very old and care-worn man peered out.
‘I understand, sir, that you have a very wonderful Pearl and I wondered if I may see it, you see I am a great lover of pearls and have some knowledge as an expert.’
The old man didn’t reply but leaving the door slightly ajar returned to the kitche. After a long time, he re-appeared with a chamois, laced bag. Very, very carefully he began to untie the bag that contained the Miracle Pearl.
The merchant man gasped…..never had he seen such a magnificent pearl. He had travelled in the Persian Gulf, Ceylon, many of the Islands of the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico. He had also seen the famous 40 grain pearl, said to be the finest the world had seen. And he also had a glimpse of the world’s largest pearl, ‘the Bereford-Hope Pearl’ which weighed over 1,8000 grains, which was six times as much as the oyster that produced it…but …but THIS PEARL……WAS BREATH-TAKING!!!!
The merchant was very, very rich, and, of course, he wanted to purchase the pearl. He had his cheque book with him and told the old man he was prepared to pay a BIG PRICE for so wonderful a pearl. The old man smiled in a rather sad sort of way. NO.NO.NO.NO. He would never part with it.
But the merchant was not to be put off and tried every bit of sales patter he had ever learned on the old man. But it was all in vain. Then he was taken inside the cottage and learned the story behind that WONDERFUL PEARL. As far as he was concerned no money, jewels, property etc would be enough for this one pearl. The old gentleman said: ‘It’s too costly. My son, my only son gave his life in diving for it and so it has a value beyond anything.’
‘Every day’ said the old man, ‘my boy would come out with me in the boat and dive for pearls in the oyster bed. He had a wonderful body that was sun-tanned, slim and muscular and a great ability to stay under the water for a very long time. his lungs were terrific. Every day, he would tell me that he was going to find the greatest pearl in the world but usually he only found enough to keep the two of us alive. One fine morning we set out early, it was a clear sky and beautiful day. He stood at the end of my boat and told me today was to be THE DAY. He filled his lungs with fresh air and dived. I followed him as he swam with powerful strokes deeper and deeper to the Oyster bed, but then he as out of sight. I waited, waited, waited, but my boy didn’t come back. In my panic I began to shout at the waters to my boy. LAD COME BACK…LAD COME BACK …LAD COME BACK…but he didn’t come. But then a few yards away from the boat I saw a shadowy form and rowed over quickly….yes, it was my boy, but very exhausted. Actually he lapsed into unconsciousness as I dragged him into the boat .I worked hard trying to revive him…BUT ITB WAS TOO LATE…MY BOY HAD DIED…I was grief-stricken and began to row for the shore and tenderly lifted his dead body. I noticed his right hand tightly clasped. Slowly I prised open his fingers….AND THERE IT WAS…THE LOVELY PEARL YOU SEE TOADAY. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH THE LIFE OF MY ONLY SON….AND SO YOU SEE SIR, I COULD NEVER PART WITH MY PEARL. NEVER WILL THERE BE SUCH A COSTLY PEARL!!!!!’
The man immediately sensed and understood how he felt over this precious item. Selling that pearl would feel like he was selling his son who he had admired so much and was so it was too much for him to do. The sacrifice he had made in obtaining the pearl was all bound up in it and so it was put it beyond price. All the riches of the world piled as high as a mountain, could not purchase the prize.
This reminds us of Jesus who is regarded as the Pearl of Greatest Price. In thinking of Him, one considers Him to be the most wonderful person that ever lived and possessed the most attractive aspects of character. In fact He was sinless and faultless and manifested a beauty indescribable. His worth cannot be estimated.
His Father gave Him to die for us so eventually each one of us could own Him who is the Pearl of Greatest price. It is possible for all to obtain Him my believing Him and receiving Him into our hearts. Then one can be in possession of the greatest treasure in this life.
Of course, when Jesus is our hearts and lives there is one that desires to steal this treasure. His name is Satan. He will try every measure possible to rob and take from us this wonderful gift that God our Father has given. Everyone must be aware of this and not be enticed and realize that Jesus is too valuable to let go of for anyone or anything.
Learn to appreciate this divine treasure and hold tight to it all costs. Nothing in this world can be compared to Jesus Christ therefore it is essential keep a firm grip on Him. He is not for sale.
Satan will offer fame and fortune and many other things but they are a poor substitute and alternative to having Jesus. All these lose their attractiveness and wonder, but Jesus, never!
