God has given the oysters of the world an incredible assignment! They have been given the distinct capability of taking something irritating and creating something incredibly beautiful. (There is a great principle in there for us!)
Beneath the mollusks’ shell is a protective layer that safeguards their organs. When an irritant like a grain of sand or other foreign body invades, they produce layers of nacre to surround the invader. After many years of layering they create exquisitely lustrous near perfect spheres. These “pearls” have great value due to the time and effort to bring them forth. The pearl is the only gem produced by a living organism.
Matthew 13:45-46 states, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
We, the church, the body of believers are the pearl of great price. Christ sought us, found us, purchased us. It cost Him everything.
Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”. Acts 20:28 “ Be on guard for yourselves for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Ephesians 1:7-8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us in all wisdom.”
The Kingdom of God is worth far more than anything else we could ever imagine. His purchase more costly. He adorns us with a beautiful layer of His righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10 a “ I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me in garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.”
We are recipients of an unfathomable treasure. Layer upon layer as we grow in Christ. Riches beyond measure, precious prized possessions freely lavished upon us by our Saviour who paid dearly. This leads me to another verse about pearls!
Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is Holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
We who are believers must place a very high value on what we have been given. One of our greatest treasures is the Word of God. We are to share the good news of the Gospel with all who would listen. But there will be those who will reject, and ridicule and blaspheme the gospel. If we share our treasure and the gospel is not welcome, in gentleness and prayer we move on asking our Lord to show them His pearls of wisdom and love.
To continue to throw valuable pearls to pigs who can’t appreciate their worth is just going to result in trampled pearls and disgruntled pigs.
A pearl is a most splendid thing, a product of a wounded life. We have all been injured at some points in our lives, but these experiences have the capacity to produce something beautiful. “ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28). God never wastes anything. We can choose to look at life’s moments as unique and wonderful pearls that we get to string together as a thing of beauty! A lustrous and lovely string of pearls that we wear as an image of a life ransomed, redeemed, restored and loved by the Lord. Pearls of great price!
