Free, but costly

I just read Mt 13.44. Once a person discovers how great the Kingdom of God is, it gives him or her a no-holds-barred joy. So much so that they give up all they have in order to receive life in the Kingdom.

This verse is immediately followed by another parable with a twin meaning. A certain fellow dealt in pearls. He saw one that was so amazingly smooth and white and beautiful. He wanted it, probably to give to his wife on their anniversary, but it was so expensive. He went home, had a garage sale, sold everything he owned, made a fortune, spent it all on the pearl of great price.

Jesus is telling us that the Kingdom of heaven works on this very principle. It’s free, but it’s costly.

Probably when we tell people about Jesus (do we tell people about Jesus?) we do not mention the cost of the free gift.

So probably, most people don’t give up much at all, they simply add a drop of Jesus into their mix.

Probably that is what they mostly see in most of the Christians they know.

Probably.