47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

In relating these parables, the Lord debunked some presuppositions in the minds of His Jewish listeners. They believed they were destined to gain entrance to the kingdom of God because of their heritage and their birth. No one gets in automatically. You are not born again by means of your parent's faith, or your family, or even born into the church as some denominations teach through baptism. It requires a personal response by believing and accepting Christ’s invitation to follow Him.     

It seems that when people come to Christ there are two common avenues. We understand that no one comes to Christ unless He draws them to Himself. We don't understand that until after salvation. Some are surprised, like C.S. Lewis describes his experience in his book, ‘Surprised by Joy’.  God is evident in meeting with us and we didn't plan on it. It was completely of God and (like the treasure which was discovered) in our daily lives we are faced with God's claims and He calls us into the kingdom. You might be like that man going about your regular business and all of the sudden confronted with the gospel.  

A friend of mine was a student who received a knock on the door at her dorm. Two members of Campus Crusade presented the tract, ‘Four Spiritual Laws’.  She heard it for the first time and responded turning her life to Christ. She has been faithfully serving him ever since. Her whole life was changed.  

One pastor's wife told me she received Christ when she first moved into a new area. She thought of attending some church. It happened to be a Baptist who came to her door to welcome her into the community and invite her to church. She said yes. She heard of Jesus Christ dying the cross for her. She had never thought of it that way before. He died for her very own sins. When the pastor gave an opportunity to give her life to Jesus, she responded. It was like a treasure she fell accidently upon, only looking back in her life, it was at that church where she met her husband and now is in Christian ministry.  

Our Assistant pastor had a similar experience.  He had a noise coming from his motorcycle and stopped in a church parking lot to see if he could fix it. A man came over to help him. Before he left the man invited him to church. On Sunday he went. That was the first time he ever been in church and was so intrigued by Jesus Christ, the next Sunday gave his heart to God.

Some, however, are searching and go to extreme lengths to find God. Some look into New Age material or Eastern religion. Some search reading philosophy or various religions.  The truth is, joining a church or being baptized or giving regularly is not what saves us. There can be many lost people in church and there are many pastors who are lost. The essential element of a believer is someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - not just religious activities and good works. It is not just a believing a doctrine of beliefs. Jesus Christ is the only savior one receives.

There may be other pearls, but there is only one pearl of great price. There may be many fine things in the world and many meaningful things where man can involve his attentions. Some find meaning in education, arts, music, literature, in work, and in family. Some can find importance in serving his fellowmen and humanitarian concerns. Some find fulfillment in accomplishments, sporting activities, and beauty contests.

Both parables make the point that a sinner, who understands that priceless riches of the kingdom, must make a response. He will gladly yield everything else he cherishes in order to obtain it. Likewise, those who cling to their earthly treasures forfeit the far greater wealth of the kingdom. With the good news, everyone is confronted with the bad news. There is a hell. There are people who seek salvation in church activities and good works, but are lost. because their trust has been misguided.

Application:  Have your submitted yourself to Christ alone?

Prayer:   Oh praise the one who raised my life up from the dead.  In Christ alone, my strength is found. I am His and He is mine.   Here in the Cross of Christ I stand.