Month: March 2018

THE MERCHANT FOUND ONE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE AND WAS CONVINCED
WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER

“…when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

Some years back I was at a child’s birthday party and a man asked me if I went to Redeemer Presbyterian Church. I answered in the affirmative and asked him of his church affiliation. He said he was a man who believed in all faiths as all led to the same place. This is what is known as universalism – the idea that all religions lead to the one true God and to the same place after death. The Merchant in the Kingdom of Heaven knows of no such thing as Universalism. The Merchant in the Kingdom of Heaven is not a Universalist. The Merchant knows of one pearl of great price and he knows with certainty that there is no other.

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and life, no man comes unto the Father but by me (Jn 14:6). He said, whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Don Jesus Christ. This the true God, and eternal life.” (From I John 2-5)

The merchant looks for, longs for, seeks salvation and eternal life. He finds it in Jesus Christ. And when he finds it, he makes it his own and he knows there is no other way. The Christian is not confused by who the true God is or that the true God is exclusive. The Christian knows that the only way of Salvation is in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully Man, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily and through whom is given eternal life to all who believe. Through this Jesus, access is given to God the Father who is one with Jesus Christ and God the Spirit. To know this God is eternal life. There is no other way.

The merchant has found this one pearl, he has sold all to obtain this pearl, for he knows with certainty no other will do. He needs not keep any of his own treasures in reserve in case he finds a better pearl. He does not need to bury any silver in the ground under his home in case he needs additional treasure. He does not hold out his new pearl of great price to try and trade for an even better pearl or many lesser pearls. No, rather, he has found one pearl of great price, it is the pearl of greatest price, it is life eternal, and he will not part with it though all the world be against him and his life be forfeit.

Dear friend, there is no other that can help you or save you. Only Jesus Christ will suffice. Jesus Christ alone saves. He will not let you down. Though you sacrifice all, even your own life, for the sake of Christ, you shall obtain far more than you ever gave up. For you gave up what is temporal for that which is eternal. The Christian knows there is no other greater pearl than Jesus Christ. Do you know this?

Ben Stahl, Elder

THE MERCHANT DID NOT JUST DRAW NEAR TO THE PEARL BUT HE OBTAINED THE PEARL

“Who…went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

Perhaps some of the greatest words spoken by Jesus are also some of the most dreadful for us to consider. When a scribe came asking Jesus the greatest commandment in Mark 12:28-34 and he heard Christ’s response, the Scribe agrees with our Lord’s answer. To this Jesus responds in vs. 34, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”

Similarly, when Paul is in prison and making his defense before King Agrippa in Acts 26, Paul challenges King Agrippa with the question, “believest thou the prophets?” To this King Agrippa confesses unto Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

On the one hand, the words of the Lord and the words of King Agrippa are of great joy to believers and of great hope to unbelievers. But the Merchant in our Lord’s parable teaches something quite sobering. The Kingdom of Heaven is not like merchants who draw near to the pearl of great price. The Kingdom of Heaven is not made up of those who are close to Jesus or those who are almost persuaded to believe in Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of Heaven is made up of those merchants who have obtained Christ. The Kingdom of Heaven is made up of those who do believe in Jesus Christ and those who have actually entered into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus refers to Himself in John 14 as “the door”…if any man enter in he shall be saved. People next to the door are not saved. People pondering the door are not saved. Those that go in the door, that enter in shall be saved.

Holding the living water does not bring eternal life to the soul. Drinking the living water brings eternal life to the soul. Yes, it is a joyful thing to see one who was in unbelief coming closer to the Christian faith. But unless He obtains Christ, he has nothing at all.

The Merchant in our parable is one who has found the pearl of great price and has obtained the pearl at whatever cost – even the selling of all that he had to obtain it. The Christian has won Christ. The Christian is found in Christ. The Christian has obtained Christ.

Dear friends, at any cost, through any suffering, draw near to Jesus Christ and make him your own! Jesus came proclaiming to all men that the Kingdom of God is at hand. That proclamation is being made to you again. Repent and believe the gospel. Do not ponder it. Do not think about it for another day. Take hold of Christ this day. Cast off every thing that would hinder you and obtain this pearl!

Ben Stahl, Elder