Cost of following Jesus

4 shiney stars

Matthew 13:45-46 is the story of a merchant looking for a fine pearl, willing to sell everything to buy the pearl.   The parable was told by Jesus to highlight how following him involves a similar cost.  Consider this modern day version as told by Juan Ortiz

A man finds a great pearl and says, "I want this pearl. How much does it cost?"
The seller says, "It's too dear, too costly."
"But how much?"
"Well, it's very expensive."
"Do you think I could buy it?"
"Oh, of course. Anybody can."
"But you say it's too expensive. How much is it?"
"It costs everything you have -- no more, no less -- so anybody can buy it."
"I'll buy it"
"What do you have? Let's write it down."
"I have $10,000 in the bank."
"Good, $10,000. What else?"
"I have nothing more. That's all I have."
"Have you nothing more?"
"Well, I have some dollars here in my pocket."
"How many?"
"I'll see: 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 120 -- 120 dollars."
"That's fine. What else do you have?"
"I have nothing else. That's all."
"Where do you live?"
"I live in my house."
"The house too."
"Then you mean I must live in the garage?"
"Have you a garage, too? That too. What else?"
"Do you mean that I must live in my car, then?"
"Have you a car?"
"I have two."
"Both become mine. Both cars. What else?"
"I have nothing else."
"Are you alone in the world?"
"No, I have a wife, two children.... "
"Your wife and your children too. What else?"
"I have nothing else, I am left alone now."
"Oh, you too. Everything. Everything becomes mine: wife, children, house, garage, cars, money, clothing, everything. And you too."
-- Juan Ortiz

 


Type
  • Story
  • Quote
Topic
  • Calling
  • Commitment
  • Jesus
  • Kingdom
  • Life
  • Priorities
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Comments

Great Illustration. Thanks
- Carl (31 Aug 2010)

Wonderful Illustration...
- Moses Sabulone (13 Nov 2010)

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