THE MERCHANT WAS SATISFIED WITH THIS PEARL FOR THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT WOULD EVER SATISFY
“Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
Why is it that the Merchant does not keep looking for a better pearl? He found one perfect pearl of great price but why not keep looking? Perhaps he could find a larger perfect pearl. Or a perfect pearl that shared its glory with its owner? One of the dictionary definitions for “perfect” is “excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement.” The merchant is satisfied with the Pearl he has found because He knows with certainty that there will never be anything ever found afterwards that could improve upon the pearl of great price which he has acquired.
“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. (Psalm 50:2)”
“As for God, his way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)”
The Lord Jesus Christ, our God, is without possible improvement. There is none greater than Him for all the Gods of the worlds are idols but He made the Heavens and the Earth. Power and majesty are before Him. Strength and beauty are at His right hand. Justice and Judgment are the habitation of His throne. Mercy and truth are His paths.
In the splendor, majesty, fear, and awe of such perfection, the Merchant has found satisfaction and peace in the Prince of Peace. There is none else that can or will ever satisfy the merchant for there is not event theoretical improvement of the perfect Pearl that He has found. When that which is perfect is found, than that which is imperfect shall be done away (I Cor. 13).
My friends, when Simeon beheld the Lord Jesus Christ in Jerusalem he did not put him down and said, ah well, I will look for another. No, my friends, Simeon acknowledged that now he could depart from this world in peace, for his eyes had seen God’s salvation. He did not need to see another. Simeon was satisfied with Jesus Christ for He was perfect. Will you this day, who have had a portrait of perfection laid out before you, respond as the Pharisees did saying, “Is this the Messiah or should we look for another?” Or will you rather, like Peter, say of Jesus, thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God?