The Pearl

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (1)

The merchant in the parable represents a class of people who sincerely desire to know the truth. There have always been earnest and thoughtful men and women who have searched in literature, science and the religions of the world for that which they could receive as the soul's treasure. Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch in the Bible belonged to this class. Even among Jews and professed Christians, there are those who seek for that which they do not have. Dissatisfied with a formal religion, they long for that which is spiritual and uplifting. Christ's disciples belonged to this class. Many have longed and prayed for light, truth and understanding; and when Christ is revealed to them, they received Him with gladness.

The "pearl of great price" in the parable represents Jesus. The pearl is not represented as a gift. The merchant bought it at the price of all that he had. Many question the meaning of this, as Christ is represented in the Bible as a gift. He is a gift, but only to those who give themselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him without reserve. When we give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us, and we obtain the pearl of great price. Those who give themselves to Christ, choose to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, belong to the Lord to be consecrated to His service of benefiting and blessing others.

Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought. In the market where divine mercy is offered, the precious pearl is represented as being bought without money and without price. In this market all may obtain the goods of heaven. The treasury of the jewels of truth is available to all. The gospel of Jesus is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as able as the richest of earth to purchase salvation, yet no amount of money, or worldly wealth, can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His purchased possession.

Jesus gave the gift of Himself and all that He possesses and represents, to a lost, rebellious and dying race. In return He requests of those who put their faith and trust in Him to yield themselves, mind, soul and spirit, to Him. Only in this way can He save us from the results of sin and rebellion. The price we are required to pay is not gold, silver or money. The price God asks of us is our willing obedience. He asks us to give up our sins, those things that are harmful and destructive to us and others. And what He offers to those who accept Him and allow Him to separate them from their destructive behaviors is phenomenal. "To him who overcomes" said Jesus, "I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Revelation 3:21). Jesus has something wonderful in store for us that we can't even begin to imagine or comprehend.

1. Matthew 13:45, 46.