LESSON 6
THE PARABLE OF THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
The parable of the pearl of great price is the sixth parable and is in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew. Please note that the first three parables are darkened by a sinister cloud, and the last three cast light for a positive future. This sixth parable is in Verse 45:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant is search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)
This parable links very closely with the parable of the hidden treasure that we studied in lesson five, and it is frequently misunderstood. One interpretation is that the merchant represents a Christian, and the pearl of great price is the Kingdom of God to which he gives his all he can be a part of it. Another interpretation is that the pearl is Christ, and we must sell everything we have in order that we might have him. We certainly know that the Kingdom of God cannot be purchased.
If we follow what the Lord has taught us in previous parables, it ought to be clear to us that the merchant searching for the pearl is Jesus Christ, and to obtain it, he must sell all that he has and purchase it. This is the same type of activity we visited in the parable of the hidden treasure. Remember we learned that the hidden treasure is the nation Israel, and until Israel comes into the proper and righteous relationship with the Lord, man will not work out peaceful international relationships and world peace. The Word tells us repeatedly that the world does not know the secret, and they will not know it until Israel comes into its own. Also, we saw that the giving of all he had is a picture of the cross of our Lord. He gave himself. Isaiah said, “He poured out his soul unto death,” (Isaiah 53-12), and Paul said, “He emptied himself,” (Philippians 2:7).
In our lesson of the hidden treasure, we learned that Jesus gave all that he had to buy the field, so that he might one day bring the world to prosperity and peace, and to accomplish that, he poured out his soul unto death through the cross. Now we come to another view of the work of the cross. What is the great value, the pearl, that Jesus gave all he had to obtain? The answer is “The Church”. The church is one pearl, one body, composed of those He has sought out through the ages to be a habitation for God by His spirit, and who will be His bride when he returns. This beautiful parable shows to some extent His love for us. The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her . . . that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
Why do you think that our Lord chose the pearl as a symbol for the church? The answer is that unlike other gems, pearls are produced by a living organism, an oyster, because of an injury or irritation and pain. A pearl grows out of hurt. It usually begins forming around a grain of sand or an egg of some parasite that invaded the oyster. The oyster protects itself by layering the irritant with nacre (mother of pearl) until out of pain and suffering, it forms an object of great beauty.
What a beautiful symbol our Lord has chosen for the church. This is the most perfect symbol to explain to us the telling of this parable. Our Lord came and he gave all that he had so he could take all the hurt of humanity into his own heart. Because He came to Earth, He knew the loneliness, the misery, heartache and agony that we all go through so he would be able to touch and heal us. By taking his own life, He washed away with his own blood our sins, our guilt, our hurts. He cleansed us and gave his life to us so that we would become more Christlike.
This is important to remember. When you are going through tough times of difficulty with hardships, heartache or personal relationships, our Lord, through the teachings of his ministry, is turning what is injurious into a beautiful glowing pearl. God is doing that with you and me. God is continually putting is in circumstances is which we must walk in the spirit. The difficulties he puts before us are part of the process of making us a complete person, so don’t push them away, embrace them, as they are God’s instruments sent to do his work in your life. So don’t resist them. As these trials come, God is preparing us to present and demonstrate the limitless riches of his grace, to keep in mind what he commands us to do. He says, “And take on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God”. (Ephesians 6:17). The hope of God’s eternal purposes will keep your mind straight and hold you steady as you prepare for the pressures and uncertainties of today’s complex world.
The pearl presents a wonderful picture of the purchase of the church in preparation for the Kingdom of God. It is encouraging to know that Jesus does not compel us to study His word, but He seeks us out with an organized pre-planned goal in mind. He pursues us as a man courts a woman to be his bride, willing to spill his own blood as her purchase price. What greater price could have been paid for the church than the life of Jesus Christ.
So that is the pearl of great price. Let’s tie these two parables, the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl. together. Hidden in it is the treasure of the field (Israel), which will bring the hopes and dreams of world peace. And also hidden in this parable of the pearl, (the church), which will accomplish God’s purposes in that great day when God brings about all that he has in his mind.
The parable of the pearl is extra special to me. When I first read this parable a few years ago, I understood how the parable related to the suffering of Christ brought something so beautiful. This also makes me think of humanity in general. The oyster, though pain and suffering bring about this lustrous pearl. I believe that individuals that suffer greatly throughout life and at the end-of-life illness will also turn into a beautiful “human pearl”, and Jesus will give them a victory over death so that those who believe in him will enjoy eternal life.
Please remember that Jesus asks us to spread the good word. I trust that you take his word to heart.
Until next time, peace, love and joy be with you always.