Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:45-46

Eph. 1:13-14 “...until the redemption of the purchased possession.”

The parable of the Pearl of great price that we just read is usually misinterpreted. Whereas, the parable falls in line with Pauline doctrine.

We have here Paul’s inclusion of the Gentiles within the description of the Body of Christ. There are no second class citizens. The blessings, Spirit, and Glory, are the same as that of the Jew.

Aside from all our responsibilities as children of God, aside from the fact that we are in this world with mortal bodies, we are seen as the beloved of God!

I. The Great Price.

And could there be any greater price paid than the precious blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ?

A. He left His heavenly throne to come to this fallen, sin shod world, humbling Himself being made a little lower than the angels, made in the likeness of Man.

B. He willingly subjected Himself to man’s scourge and cross, refusing any angelic assistance, giving His life in our place.

C. He chose the humiliation of rejection and ridicule over recognition.

II. The Pearl.

A. The church, His bride, the body of Christ, the temple of the Living God. He chose for Himself.

B. You are the pearl (of great price).

I realize that you know that cumulatively, we are the pearl, but did you know that you are the Pearl.

An organic gem, pearls are formed inside mollusks such as oysters and mussels. They are formed when an irritant such as a tiny stone or bit of sand gets inside the mollusk's shell. A lustrous substance, called nacre, is secreted around the object to protect the soft internal surface of the mollusk. As layer upon layer of nacre coats the irritant, a pearl is formed. Light that is reflected from these overlapping layers produces a characteristic iridescent luster. This process of building a solid pearl can take up to seven or eight years.

The most valuable pearls are perfectly symmetrical, relatively large and naturally produced. They have a shimmering iridescence which is called orient luster. The principal oyster beds lay in the Persian Gulf, along the coasts of India and Sri Lanka, and in the Red Sea. Chinese pearls come mainly from freshwater rivers and ponds, whereas Japanese pearls are found near the coast in salt water.

1. This is the gem (organic) which Jesus used to describe us.

2. The Nacre is the Holy Spirit of Grace which coats us and brings us into the specifications of a gem of beautiful luster.

3. No part of the pearl is ugly or marred, as that would discount it’s value.

C. Jesus is anticipating the taking of delivery.

D. We are sealed safely away and kept by His, own power.