Matthew 13:45-46

Again, 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.

Matthew 13:45-46

The beginning of every pearl is an irritant of sand or coral.  The oyster forms a protective coating around this irritant and the end result is a hardened lustrous pearl.  In this parable, the pearl represents the church and the merchant who buys it is Jesus.  To the world, we are an irritant and the cross is an offense (Galatians 5:11). But Jesus paid for this pearl with His life and God puts that protective coating around us through the blood of His Son.  

Jesus prayed specifically for that protection in John 17:15-17, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”  Someday we will be lifted out of this world (our oyster) and become the adornment of Christ, His bride.

Can’t wait…

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw