In the Bible, you will find pearls regarded as having different degrees of value. Jesus taught that “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)

Who could have known that when Jesus said this, he was likely referring to the sacrifice He would soon make on the cross for the sins of the world? To me this passage sounds wonderfully similar to John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

If the pearl of great price was indeed a reference to a soon to be redeemed world of repentant sinners, then how awesome is the love of God?

The words of the Apostle Paul describe this glorious work of God this way. “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom 5:6-10 NKJV)

I’m so glad that in today’s world where the phrase clutching your pearls is mostly a negative one, these verses are a stark and wonderful reminder of the inconceivable price almighty God was willing to pay to bring sinners into fellowship with himself.