OUR FATHER WHOSE KINGDOM IS A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

The Lord Jesus continued in Matthew chapter 19 verses 11 ~ 12 to teach about the standard of conduct in the kingdom of God. In verse 10, the disciples had commented that the standards of divorce in the kingdom of God were so stringent that  it would be better not to marry to begin with.

Jesus responded to this comment by saying that some people were indeed given the ability to accept the conditions of a celibate life. The celibate life is a reality faced by a percentage of the people. Some are involuntarily celibate having been born without sexual function while others are made celibate by accidental or deliberate intervention by other people. 

For those who are able forfeit sexual activity for the sake of the kingdom of God and impose on themselves a celibate lifestyle in the service of God, the Lord Jesus counsels them to accept that path.

11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

This teaching runs parallel to the parable Jesus gave in Matthew chapter 13 verses 45 - 46 where a person seeking a treasure of value found a pearl that he estimated to be of a high price and in response, sold everything he had to acquire it.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

A person who gains an understanding of the value of the kingdom of God would trade everything he had for it and in the case of some people who are able, they can trade a life of celibacy for the opportunity to pursue the kingdom of God unhindered.

The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verses 28 - 35, writes that even though it is not a sin to marry, it is profitable to believers who are able to accept (or withstand) a life of celibacy to remain single. The apostle stresses that this is especially pertinent when the time we have alloted to us on the earth to spend seeking the things of the kingdom of God is so fleeting.

28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

Lord have mercy on us.

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