Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬-12:2
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The treasure of a lifetime. What would that look like?

This is really what the pearl of great price is referring to. Something of such high value, that it is worth sacrificing everything you have for it!

So what in this world is worth the sacrifice of all we have?

This is not a what but a who — God. Specifically a relationship with him. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things and he is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere at once).

How do we gain access to this treasured relationship? It is impossible on our own, because God is good and pure, and we are sinners. God will not abide with sin. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬)

Jesus, through his perfect life and his sacrifice, became the voluntary substitution for the penalty of our sin by dying on the cross, made a way to God for us. It is the way of grace. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬)

And so our right and proper response to this is to surrender all we have to the God who has and will give us more than we ever could imagine. Our rights, our passions, our desires and pleasure, our will, and our relationships — we must sacrifice them all to Jesus and follow him. He is the person of God made flesh.

When we do this, we are transformed in our minds to be like God, we shine an eternal light in life, and we know the will of God beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Lord, thank you for this picture of the pearl of great price. Being a part of your kingdom and following you to draw close to you is the greatest treasure I have ever found. It is a treasure that expands exponentially the longer I have it!