This begins a year-long series on birthstones and how they remind me of Jesus. Since I’m cross-posting with my geologist friend, Chris Vonada,  I figured the topic of gemstones would be a terrific match.

But when I sat down to write this very first post, I realized I’m beginning with the one month of the year whose birth “stone”—the pearl—isn’t a stone at all.

Still, throughout history, society has considered pearls to be rare, beautiful and valuable.  And they remind me of Jesus.

The Gospel

In scripture, pearls are symbols of the priceless Gospel.Matthew 13:45-46 compares the Gospel to pearls of great value:

“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.”

Jesus’ parable reminds us that our salvation through Him, is priceless and deepening our faith and relationship with Him, should be our number one priority.

Protection

Pearls also remind me of Jesus because of how they’re made. Pearls are the oyster’s way of protecting itself from a harsh and painful grain of sand. It does so by laying down calcium carbonate in concentric rings.

Similarly, Jesus protects us from harsh and painful things in life—if we but lean on Him. In fact, just like an oyster, God can create layers of soothing protection from the irritants of life. Those layers become our ever-deeper faith; a faith that is beautiful, rare and valuable. So valuable that we should do everything we can to own it; because it results in our being part of God’s kingdom of heaven.

And we know what the gates of heaven are made of.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

June’s birthstone can’t be found in any underground mine on earth. Pearls are created by living creatures; much like the foundation of our faith is based on trust in a living God.

Pearls require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. Just like our faith in Jesus requires nothing but to believe—and then trust and obey. That’s a beautiful thing.

Happy birthday to everyone born in June.

PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus for showing us your truth in the parables you spoke so long ago. Thank you for your good news. Please remind us each day of the Gospel’s incomparable value and help us find new ways to make it a deeper part of our lives. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? In what way do you see characteristics of Jesus in a pearl?

The post Carol’s Gems: Pearls Of Great Value first appeared on I'm Just Thinkin'.

The post Carol’s Gems: Pearls Of Great Value appeared first on I'm Just Thinkin'.