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Christ’s Precious Jewels, March 19
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I
make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own
son that serveth him.
Malachi 3:17
.
The kingdom of heaven is represented as being like unto a merchantman
“seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price,
went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
This parable has a double significance, and applies not only to man
seeking the kingdom of heaven, but to Christ seeking His lost inheritance.
Through transgression man lost his holy innocence, and mortgaged himself
to Satan. Christ, the only begotten Son of God, pledged Himself for the
redemption of man, and paid the price of his ransom on the cross of Calvary.
He left the worlds unfallen, the society of holy angels in the universe of
heaven, for He could not be satisfied while humanity was alienated from
Him. The heavenly Merchantman lays aside His royal robe and crown.
Though the Prince and Commander of all heaven, He takes upon Him the
garb of humanity, and comes to a world that is marred and seared with
the curse, to seek for the one lost pearl, to seek for man fallen through
disobedience....
He finds His pearl buried in rubbish. Selfishness encrusts the human
heart, and it is bound by the tyranny of Satan. But He lifts the soul out of its
darkness to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness
into His marvelous light. We are brought into covenant relationship with
God, and receive pardon and find peace. Jesus finds the pearl of lost
humanity, and resets it in His own diadem....
He would inspire the most sinful, the most debased, with hope. He
says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (
John 6:37
). When
a soul finds the Saviour, the Saviour rejoices as a merchantman that has
found his goodly pearl. By His grace He will work upon the soul until it
will be like a jewel polished for the heavenly kingdom. “For God so loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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The Youth’s Instructor, October 10, 1895
.
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