In
keeping with the theme of this "String of Pearls" mini-lecture, I would like
to share with you a small bit of wisdom. I sincerely believe that it will
be of great value in all aspects of your life as a physician. This "pearl"
of wisdom is in two stories: "The Hidden Treasure" and "The Pearl of Great
Value." These stories were told by Jesus as two parables and recorded by
Matthew in his gospel (Chapter 13, verses 44, 45-46).
Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which
someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and
buys that field."
The
Pearl of Great Value (Matthew 13:45-46
"Again, the kingdom
of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one
pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."
In
both of these parables, the hidden treasure or pearl of great value is the
same--namely, the kingdom of heaven. In the first parable, we read
of someone who found the hidden treasure unexpectedly without seeking it.
In the second parable, we read of an experienced pearl merchant whose
business it is to seek the best pearls. He deliberately seeks and is
successful in finding a pearl of great value. The pearl he finds so far
exceeds any other pearl he has ever seen that he is willing to surrender
everything else he owns in order to obtain it. In both cases, the
surpassing value of the kingdom of heaven is recognizable and in both
cases, all else is forsaken for it without hesitancy.
All
of us spend our lives seeking "pearls" of great value. We may seek wisdom,
riches, good health, possessions, fame, prestige, pleasures, or power.
Unfortunately, we inevitably find that there is no permanence, no security,
and no satisfaction in the things of this world. These earthly treasures
wear out, erode, or are taken from us. No "thing" lasts forever. Even our
health will eventually fail us. If we are wise, we will build our happiness
on things we cannot lose. Often these other treasures only stand in the way
of our obtaining the hidden treasure of great value. We must be willing to
give them up that we may enjoy the pearl of greatest value--the kingdom
of heaven.
You
can find this hidden treasure in the pages of Scripture. Diligently search
the Scriptures and you will find this pearl of great value, this kingdom
of heaven. When you find this gift you will also find great spiritual
and material blessings of the kingdom that accompany this present
life--peace with God, love, joy and hope of eternal life.
I
believe that each of you can judge the value of the treasures that you may
be seeking and gain in your life. My hope is that you will dedicate
yourselves to searching for and finding this hidden treasure, this pearl of
great value. My prayer is that you will seek and find the kingdom of
heaven and that having found it, you will value it above all else in
your life and that you will then share it with others.
Thank you very much for giving me the honor to speak here today.
