A pearl of great price
The devotions for this week are taken from LCA International Mission’s 2024 ‘40 Days – a Lent Devotional and Prayer Guide’ and are written by mission partners around the world. This year the devotions have been written by members of our partner churches focusing on the theme ‘40 days with the Storyteller’. LCA International Mission invites you to pray for God’s global mission and churches beyond our borders. You can download an electronic copy of the ‘40 Days’ guide at the LCA International Mission website or request a printed copy by emailing lcaim@staging.lca.org.au or phoning 08 8267 7317.
by Kyosuke Sugioka
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Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45,46).
Read Matthew 13:45,46
Born into a Christian home, I have walked with Jesus from the beginning. Unlike distant treasures, Jesus has been with me and has been a close companion for as long as I can remember.
So, for me, I read in this parable that the merchant is the kingdom of heaven. If this merchant represents the kingdom, i.e. Jesus, what does the pearl mean? The answer is obvious: each of us.
But here, in contrast to the previous thought, the question looms large of whether I am really a pearl of great price. It is difficult to see myself that way. I am acutely aware of my weakness and inability to show my true self to others. As a weak believer, I am not able to be proud that my faith is worthy of salvation.
Sometimes I feel that I am not needed by anyone. But isn’t this exactly why Christ was crucified for our sins? Jesus endured the physical pain and mental anguish resulting from our sin. Just before his crucifixion, in his last moments, he cried out to the pain of feeling abandoned by everyone, by his disciples and by God, which resonates with us.
But God never abandoned Jesus. Having conquered death, the wages of our sin, Jesus ascended to heaven in glory. To God, Jesus was undoubtedly a pearl of great price, and each one of us must also be a pearl of great price. There will definitely come a moment when we are compelled to feel that way. That is when I realise how valuable I am to God and how valuable Jesus is to my life today.
For me, that moment comes when I am travelling in a foreign land, and in a new encounter. It is when I fall into difficulties that I have no control over that I see the presence of God. This God who does not abandon me, but arranges for someone to show me the way. When I had nothing to eat, my visa expired and I lost my way in the midst of a global pandemic, there was nothing I could do except pray and ask. Still, there were people who comforted me and showed me a new path. I have lived my life with the help of those who are close to me. Through them, I have been reaffirmed of the greatness of God.
Now, how on earth can we as pearls respond to the merchant (God) who considers us expensive and wants to get us? I can only wait. I can only be found. I can only pray and seek. I can only live today, relying on God who says, ‘That’s good enough’.
King of Heaven, thank you that when you look at us poor, helpless sinners, you see a pearl of great price, thanks to Jesus’ saving work on the cross. Strengthen and encourage the Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church in Japan, as they cherish the spirit of the reformation, worship God based on the words of the Bible, and walk a life of faith while praising God. Amen.
Kyosuke Sugioka is a member of the Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church in Japan.
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