December 10th THE PARABLES
December 10th THE PARABLES
The Pearl Seeker (Matt 13:45-46)
The Pearl Seeker (Matt 13:45-46)
The kingdom of heaven is like a traveling merchant-buyer seeking beautiful pearls; having gone off, sold all, as much as he was possessing, having staked all that he had in one business venture which would either make or break him,
and he purchased it in the market place.
Matthew 13:45-46, An Expanded Translation (Wuest)
Context: Jesus likened the Kingdom to a valuable pearl for which a man sells everything to acquire. Not all pearls found in shells of oysters and other molluscs are “fine” smooth and translucent white. The pearl is the only jewel which is organic, arising from an irritation.
Meaning: We may have been taught that we are the merchants seeking first the Kingdom, selling everything to gain this precious pearl. This interpretation is dangerous because it implies a contribution to salvation. “Sinners have absolutely nothing of any value that they can possibly use to obtain Christ” - A. Pink (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:12). Have you considered the reverse? Jesus is the protagonist, the sower of wheat and the mustard seed. It was Jesus who left heaven to seek us. We were lost ones deep in the ‘dead sea’ of humanity. He paid the price of his own life to redeem us (Luke 19:10; Eph 2:4-6,21). A pearl grows out of hurt. Jesus came and give all that he had so that he might take all the aching agony of humanity into his own heart, to heal us, to impart his life into us, and to clothe us with his own beauty.
Application: We are naturally unclean sinners, but because of Christ's sacrifice, we are a sinless gem in God's sight. In great joy, Jesus gave His all for us. “You are not our own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23)
______________________________
We paid nothing for Him. He paid all for us.
We paid nothing for Him. He paid all for us.
