Pearl of Great Price

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46

In this parable Jesus uses the analogy of “the pearl of great price” to represents the church itself. Those of us who believe and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, we are the people who make up the body of Christ here in the earthy realm, and we constitute the Church itself, not the buildings we assemble in!

Pearls, unlike gemstones are beautiful as they are, they are complete in themselves and don’t need to be carved or ground like other gem stones in order for their beauty to be revealed. Hidden away in the oyster they are grown slowly, yet perfectly and completely in their unity. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians chapter 4: 4-5

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

And so just like a pearl, the Church is complete in its unity.

Pearls grow slowly, as the oyster secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin to coat something that has gotten into its flesh that is causing it irritation. Through time this secretion produces a pearl that when revealed, is both beautiful and perfect in its unity.

Similarily, the growth of the church is gradual, as it is the Holy Spirit who convicts peoples hearts that ultimately turns them into believers. We can’t see pearls grow because they are hidden inside the oyster shell in the depths of the waters that is out of sight. Likewise we can't see the church grow either, because it is God who knows who the true believers are!

Just like suffering is part of the process of making a pearl, so the Church is also the product of suffering. Jesus’s suffering on the cross birthed the Church. He died to save us by creating a way for us to come back into a right relationship with the Father, as adopted sons and daughters who gather in an assembly of believers or as we say, a church. Jesus’s true church exists today throughout the world, with true believers found in all of the churches of the world.

So, in spite of the Devils workings to destroy the Church, Christ is forming His Church and there is nothing that Satan can do to stop it’s formation.

There is only one Church, though there are many denominations, we are all branches of the one true vine.

But be careful not to make the mistake of believing that being a member of a Church gives you membership of the “one true Church” and thereby safe! Jesus said in Matt 7:21-23

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

All that you need do is believe in Jesus, ask his forgiveness for your mistakes, and accept him as your Lord and saviour. It’s that simple and all that’s required for that to happen. Then join a local Church and begin your walk with Him.

Have a great day, and God bless,

Trev.