The Pearl of Great Price
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44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The background for our story this morning is the Bible reading, which is Matthew 13:44-46. Puppet Dave has taken the Parable literally and bought himself an expensive string of pearls. The message is clear, Jesus is worth more than anything in the world, so much so that we must put him first before all else and all others.
Drama: KB & Dave’s Pearls
KB: Hi Dave, did you enjoy that story today?
Dave: Yea, I read it last week and then I did it.
KB: You did what Dave?
Dave: Sold everything and bought them.
KB: Bought what Dave?
Dave: Pearls, cant you see?
KB: Oh I see, you’re wearing a string of pearls?
Dave: Not any old pearls, these were Pearls of great price.
KB: Dave, I think you’ve been had.
Dave: How dare you, these are the real deal, not cheap ones.
KB: How on earth could you afford them?
Dave: I sold everything!
KB: What do you mean, sold everything.
Dave: Everything
KB: What like?
Dave: Toys, the whole lot had to be sold. I was at the Pearl Centre and they cost an arm and a leg.
KB: But Dave - you have still got your arms and legs.
Dave: Yes, but no Toys.
Dave: These are special -really special. I just have to have them.
KB: Were they that expensive Dave?
Dave: Very expensive
KB: And you sold sell ALL your toys are you? (each time Dave answers YES!) Even your bike? Even your LEGO? What about your scooter?Wow Dave you are serious, aren't you!
Dave: Yes everything! It all had to be sold. Everything had to go to get the cash to buy these pearls.
KB: Oh Dave, what a sacrifice you made. It’s a bit like our story today
Dave: Don’t they look great.
KB: Hmm I’m not sure.The Bible story was about a man who was a merchant (that’s someone who buys and sells things) who specialised in buying pearls, beautiful, expensive, rare and luxurious pearls.
Dave: Yea, just like these.
KB: Hmm, He had many pearls, lots and lots of pearls.
Dave: He must have been very rich!
KB: Yes he was rich because he owned lots of Pearls and an old bicycle.
Dave: An old bicycle??? Why did he have anold bicycle for?
KB: Well, before he was rich he used to ride his bicycle everywhere. So he kept it because it was very special to him.
Dave: Ahhthat's nice isn't it
KB: Well one day was on his bike and he passed a shop which had saw the best pearl he had ever ever seen in his life! It was huge. It was wonderful. It was beautiful. Everything he had always wanted and he knew that he must buy it. BUT!
Dave: What?
KB: It was too expensive. All his pearls added together was not enough to buy it.
Dave: How much was he short?
KB: he was still £20 short of what he needed for the beautiful pearl.
Dave: £20 - that's not much. Surely he could find another £20!
KB: Finally the Pearl Centre man said - I'll give you £20 for that old bike.
Dave: Oh no! Not the bike!
KB: Yes Dave he took one more look at the pearl and, yes,he sold the bike and walked out of the shop with his precious pearl!
Dave; Wow - that is amazing! He must have really wanted that pearl. It must have been so very special.
KB: You know Dave, Jesus told this story and said, God is like that pearl. When you find God, He is so valuable and special and worth more than anything in the whole world.
Dave: God is that special!
KB: Yes, he is. Knowing God and knowing how much he loves us is the most valuable thing we can ever discover in our lives.
Dave: Jesus really knew how to tell good stories, didn't he? He persuaded me to buy these pearls!
KB: OK Dave, you look lovely but the message is that Jesus is special and worth giving up everything to have him in our lives. Shall we pray?
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.
Chorus
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
