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