What Jesus Did! 'The Searcher's Goal' — Matthew 13:45-46

Sunday, July 4, 2021

[Jesus continued teaching about the Kingdom:] "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"
— Matthew 13:45-46 NLT

Key Thought

I don't know about you, but I love to read mystery novels. I search for the clues, listen for the hints, and dig for the foreshadowing. But the joy of the search is worth its price only when I reach its goal. In searching for God's truth, I travel on the road of assurance because I know he wants me to find his grace and discover his Kingdom even more than I do. But without stretching for his truth, I may not have truly appreciated all that he has done for me. Without surrendering to him completely, letting his Kingdom be fully recognized as what I have longed to find all of my life, I probably would have missed its power and beauty. The Kingdom brings joy, not because its demands are easy, but because it calls me to a life of wholehearted, singularly focused truth. I won't hold anything back as I follow.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, King of all, I want to fully surrender to your call and serve your Kingdom with wholehearted devotion. You are worthy of my life, and your Kingdom is worth any price I must pay. Please help my faith to remain strong, my vision clear, and my heart set fully on doing your work. In the midst of this, I know you will keep me in your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 8:27-39
  • Matthew 7:7-8
  • Psalm 118:14-16

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 13:45-46 NLT — "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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