THE PEARL OF GREAT VALUE

For many centuries Japanese pearl divers (usually female) risked their lives looking for the biggest oysters in very deep waters. Some died searching for pearls of great value. Pearls are valuable to mankind because of the time needed to produce them, their scarcity, and their beauty. In Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13:45, He says that the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who would sell everything just to buy the one pearl of great value. What would make it that valuable in a spiritual application?

Could Jesus have meant that the pearl is heaven where the twelve gates are made of pearls? (Revelation 21:21)

Perhaps he was referring to one’s soul which is said to be worth more than the whole world. (Matthew 16:26)

Some scholars believe it is the church that was bought with God’s own blood. (Acts 20:28)

A physical pearl is made up of many layers but the same essence permeates the whole. In a spiritual sense one essence permeates the three possible meanings of the pearl of great value. Jesus Christ is God’s pearl of great value because he reigns in heaven at the right hand of The Father. He shed His blood for the church and will preserve our souls with him forever if we obey Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Like the merchant in the parable, we have to search and discover our “pearl”. We then have to sacrifice our very lives and die with Him in baptism.

Finally, we experience the great joy of knowing it cannot be taken away from us. (Romans 8:38-39).