Pearls and Full Nets

‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus talks to his followers about how the kingdom of heaven is treasure in a field, a pearl of great price and full nets. He is talking about now and the end of the age as well. Very few of us, if any, have found treasure in a field, a pearl of great price or full nets. We often feel as if we struggle and have nothing to show for it. The places Jesus described are earthy, messy and just like our lives, treasures in the most unlikely places. And Jesus is not talking about tangible things like treasures, gems and full nets. Jesus is talking about our hearts. No matter our circumstances, we have been given the love of God, we have been healed and remade, and we are marked as Christ's own forever. With that, we can trust that our hearts will be filled, our lives will be filled with treasures of love and healing yet to come.

Gracious Creator, your strange creatures like oysters

make pearls of great price and the deep earth caverns

create the most beautiful gems and gorgeous diamonds.

We often feel as if we cannot make anything good

and we dream of finding treasure or winning lotteries

all along you have given us love and life in abundance.

Lord, help us to live as your treasures here and now

make us kind, loving and forgiving in all times

so others may find the treasure of heaven here. Amen.