📊 Matthew 13:45-46 | Release the Pearl

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

It’s another great day to be alive!

If you missed yesterday’s email, you can read it here.

In today’s email…

• 📖 Digging into the parables of Jesus

• 🤔 A reflection question to process with God

• 📊 Trivia: how well do you know your parables?

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MEMORIZE 🧠 

Again, ___ kingdom __ heaven __ ____ a merchant in search __ f___ p_____,

who, on finding one pearl __ great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46

CONTEXT 📕 

Matthew 13:45-46 is often called “The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.”

It’s part of a larger collection of teachings in Matthew 13 known as the "Kingdom Parables."

These parables reveal different aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven — its growth, value, and ultimate fulfillment.

Matthew 13 contains seven parables, divided into two sections:

1. Public Parables (Growth of the Kingdom)

• The Sower: The kingdom’s message is received differently by different people.

• The Weeds: The kingdom will grow alongside evil until the final judgment.

• The Mustard Seed: The kingdom starts small but becomes great.

• The Yeast: The kingdom works unseen but transforms everything.

2. Private Parables (Value of the Kingdom and Judgment)

• The Hidden Treasure: The kingdom is worth giving up everything for.

• The Pearl of Great Price: The kingdom is worth a costly sacrifice.

• The Net: At the end of time, there will be a final separation between the righteous and the wicked.

The Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price are twin parables, emphasizing the kingdom’s unmatched value.

The man in the first parable stumbles upon treasure.

The merchant in the second is actively searching for it.

And both choose to let go of everything in order to grab hold of the one thing that was infinitely precious.

As we spend time with God this week, let’s wake up to the Kingdom and ask the Holy Spirit to stir up the affections of our hearts towards what really matters.

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

The merchant in Jesus’ parable gave up everything for one priceless pearl.

Why?

Because he knew its value.

The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t just a reward at the finish line of life — it’s what Jesus came to earth to establish.

And it’s what He invites us to usher in with our every thought and action.

If we really grasped the worth of what Jesus offers, shouldn’t we be willing to let go of lesser things?

Reflect:

What’s one thing you’re holding on to that keeps you from fully embracing God’s kingdom?

In other words, what pearl of lesser value do you need to let go of in order to fully grasp the Pearl of Great Price?

Pray: 

Lord, give me wisdom to experience today through the lens of what truly matters. Help me release anything that competes with You for my heart's devotion.

Let Your kingdom come through my surrendered life, that I might know You more deeply. In Jesus' name, amen 🙏

TOGETHER WITH

TRIVIA 📊 

Click one of the answers below and see how you do…

ANSWER KEY ✅ 

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