The Pearl
Matt. 13: 45-45
Pastor Jerry Koller

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.

The pearl is never mentioned in the Old Testament.
Jesus’ Jewish listeners would not have placed a high value on pearls as other nations might have.

Pearls are calcareous creations.
When matter accidentally enters a pearl oyster, it causes an irritation within the oyster.
Because the oyster is unable to rid itself from the unwanted irritant, it begins to reduce the irritation by covering it with a pearl-like substance.
When removed from an oyster, and polished, these abnormal growths are used as gems.
A pearl’s primary value is expressed through adornment, such as jewelry.
Only people of position, such as kings, could afford them.

Parable Parts:
Merchant—He is the main character in this parable. Everything revolves around him and what he is doing.

Looking—Another translation says he was seeking something (pearls).

Fine Pearls—The merchant was not looking for just any pearl. He was looking for fine pearls.

Great Value Find—The merchant found what he was looking for: a pearl of great value.

He Acquired It—He sold everything He had and bought it.

From Valueless to Valuable—Jesus uses an object that people in general did not consider valuable, and He places great value on it.

Jesus = Merchant—Because the focus is on the kingdom of God, the merchant must be a reference to Jesus Himself.

Jesus was not seeking actual pearls or fine pearls.
What is of value to Jesus? People.
People are important to Jesus—but not just any people.
Kingdom citizens are what is important.

The Merchant Was Seeking—The fine pearls were not seeking the merchant. The merchant was doing the seeking.
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
You did not choose me, but I chose you
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
These “fine pearls” were a part of God’s divine plan that was formulated before anything was created.

Fine Pearls = Church—As far as the kingdom of God is concerned, the fine pearls that the merchant was looking for is a reference to the Church.

Sold and Bought = Death and Resurrection—These fine pearls were so valued by the merchant that he sold everything he had and bought it.
Same meaning as the Hidden Treasure where a man sold all he had and bought that field. (Matt. 13:44).

Sell means to give up for a price or a reward.
Philippians 2:5-6 - Jesus set aside the outward expression of His innermost nature so that He could take on the very nature or form of a servant.

The phrase sold all He had or everything he had meansJesus gave up His outward expression of divine glory—so that He could become our sacrifice for sin in order to redeem us for Himself.
You were bought at a price. (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23)

APPLICATION

Pearls start with an irritant. Some kind of matter accidentally enters and causes an irritation within the oyster.
Jesus’ entrance into the world was not an accident. It was intentional.
Jesus was hated by most people. He told His disciples,
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (John 15:18)

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

As children of God, we have peace with God through the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
He is also called the Prince of Peace
Jesus was simply pointing out that the Good News He brings is like a sword to the world.
It cuts through the lies of the world and of the Adversary by revealing the truth.

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well.

The world, in her ignorance, did not consider herself a sinner.
Jesus pointed out to the world her lost condition.
As a result, the world hated Jesus because He and His message was an irritation.
Yet from this irritation, a fine pearl develops.

People of position, such as kings, could afford them.
When they purchased them, they wore them as an adornment of some kind
The King of Kings not only purchased the Church, she is His adornment.

The Church is referred to as the Bride of Christ.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, (Eph. 5:25-26)
and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Eph. 5:27)

· Jim Seagren (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) is recovering from an additional surgery due to cancer. They are unable to remove the tumor and are trying to bypass blockages caused by it. The prognosis is not good as the cancer is spread extensively through his body.
· Joe Collins (father-in-law of Kim Collins) continues to recover from lingering Covid side effects.
· Steve Follman is recovering from surgery for a total knee replacement.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com