The Parable of the Pearl
Matthew 13:45-46
Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Someone has said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. In this parable, we can readily identify two types in the pearl. The pearl can represent the church in a broad sense or it can represent the Christian specifically. We will focus on the Christian as the pearl. There is a tremendous lesson in this parable of the pearl, but we can only understand the lesson by understanding how a pearl is made.
Mollusks secrete a chemical called Nacre, which lines the inside of the shell. As a mollusk opens and closes its shell, materials from the water flow in and out of it. When a foreign object lodges inside the shell and the mollusk cannot remove it, the mollusk secretes nacre to surround the object. This chemical cannot produce a pearl without the presence of a foreign object. The nacre hardens forming a layer. This process of layering continues as long as the mollusk is alive. Larger pearls come from older mollusks. With that in mind, let us consider a meaning in the parable of the pearl.
Pearls Always Start With A Foreign Object
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Just as a pearl cannot be formed until a foreign object enters in, a person cannot be saved until Jesus comes in. If you look around at the world today, you can find lots of people who love, who care, who sometimes sacrifice themselves for others, who do good deeds, who give, who try to live a good life, who volunteer, who work hard, who leave their children better off than they were, and so many other good qualities. You might find any one of these qualities in a person, but that doesn’t mean they are saved.
Psalms 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Did you know that every mollusk can create nacre? Nacre is the very substance that makes a pearl, but without something foreign inside, the nacre is worthless. It can accomplish nothing without a foreign object in the midst. It will never form a pearl. Something must lodge inside the body of the mollusk.
You and I may have done many things before we were saved, but none of those things could get us to heaven. At the core of every pearl is found something the mollusk wasn’t born with and cannot create on its own. But the introducing of this object birthed something new inside the mollusk – a pearl.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Most Mollusks Can Produce Some Kind of Pearl
Technically speaking, under the right set of circumstances, almost any shelled mollusk can produce some kind of “pearl”. However, most molluscan “pearls” have no luster or iridescence. In fact, the great majority of mollusk species produce pearls which are not attractive to look at, nor are they very durable. It does not take much to break most pearls. These have no value at all, except perhaps to a scientist or as a curiosity.
I think this point about pearls speaks of the many religions of the world. Every religion promotes itself as the true and genuine faith. But religion only lasts until death. The test for the mollusk comes when the mollusk dies and the pearl is removed and scrutinized. If the pearl doesn’t hold up outside the shell, it is considered worthless. Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ is the only faith that can endure beyond the grave.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The problem with the people of verse 22 is that they didn’t have the right pearl inside. Oh, there are millions of pious people in the world, but do they have Jesus Christ inside? If they don’t, their pearl will be worthless at the great white throne. And oh, when Jesus said, I “NEVER” knew you, that means the person was not ever saved. That phrase destroys the idea of losing your salvation and getting it back later. But that is another subject.
All Pearls Are Not the Same Quality
The quality of the pearl is based on the amount of suffering. Remember that pearls are created because something foreign is inside the mollusk. The larger the object, the more the mollusk must labor and toil, and the larger the pearl becomes.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
How much do you love Jesus Christ? To the degree you love Him will be the degree you devote yourself to Him.
Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
I am sure if a mollusk had a brain and a mouth to speak, he would tell us how much it thinks about the foreign object inside of it. I think it would also tell us how much time it devotes to making that pearl. You see, once the pearl is formed, it becomes the center of the mollusks life and labor. Nothing else matters but that feeling inside that keeps growing and growing and growing.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Over the years, all its energy and all its labor is to one end – to deal with the pearl inside. Now think with me for a minute. What would happen if after a few layers of nacre, the mollusk decided to stop working on the pearl? What if it could maneuver itself in such a way that it could no longer feel the foreign object. I’ll tell you what would happen, it would never be able to lose the pearl, but the pearl would be mighty small if he stopped layering it with nacre and tending to it!
It is sad to say, but some Christians are that way. They get saved, they get on fire for God, but then decide that being a disciple is too much work and requires too much of their time. So, they shove their pearl over to the sideline of their life and spend most of their life working on something else.
1 Corinthians 3:12-16 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
In light of the message, think of verse 16 this way – don’t forget about the pearl, child of God. Jesus Christ is inside you, and He wants you to develop your relationship with Him with every ounce of energy that you have. He wants you to build your pearl!
Pearl Mollusks Are Not the Same as Edible Oysters
You may not realize this, but pearl mollusks are not edible. You cannot eat them. They cannot be consumed. They are different than edible oysters. In fact, edible oysters cannot produce pearls either. Edible oysters are good for one thing – food. Pearl mollusks are good for one thing – showing off their pearl!
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Some Christians really try to make themselves palatable to the world. They want to fit in. They want to be liked by the world, and be accepted by the world. But once the world chews on them, the world will spit them out. Why? Because pearl mollusks are not edible. In fact, they are not even related to oysters!
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
As Christians, we need to face the fact that we have one purpose in life. We are called to show off our pearl!
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We were created to glorify God, and to show what great things He has done in our life. Don’t try to make yourself edible to the world. Don’t try to let the world feed off of your life. Instead, show them what you have inside. Show them the pearl that Jesus created in you! That’s really the only thing of value we have.
A Fake Pearl is Completely Smooth but A Real Pearl Has A Rough Surface to It
2 Timothy 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Paul had some rough edges. He had some hard times. The Christian life is never presented in the Bible as something that is easy. The rough surface is just a natural quality and bi-product of a genuine pearl. There will be hard times. There will be trials and difficulties, but that’s what defines the real pearls from the fake ones!
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Did you know that a fake pearl can be made in mere minutes. A genuine pearl takes many years to form. Each layer of nacre speaks of work, and of difficulty, and of toil. The foreign object promotes the creation of more and more nacre as the mollusk is reminded that there is still something inside. There is still something left to do. Paul said:
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
The merchant in the parable found one pearl of great price. What kind of pearl are you? How big is your pearl? As you think about that, let me read you a missionary story of another pearl of great price.
The Matchless Pearl
David Morse – American missionary to India – became great friends there with the pearl-diver, Rambhau. Many an evening he spent in Rambhau’s cabin reading to him from the Bible, and explaining to him God’s way of salvation.
Rambhau enjoyed listening to the Word of God, but whenever the missionary tried to get Rambhau to accept Christ as his Savior – he would shake his head and reply, “Your Christian way to heaven is too easy for me! I cannot accept it. If ever I should find admittance to heaven in that manner – I would feel like a pauper there…like a beggar who has been let in out of pity. I may be proud – but I want to deserve, I want to earn my place in heaven — and so I am going to work for it.“
Nothing the missionary could say seemed to have any effect on Rambhau’s decision, and so quite a few years slipped by. One evening, however, the missionary heard a knock on his door, and on going to open it he found Rambhau there.
“Come in, dear friend,” said Morse.
“No,” said the pearl-diver. “I want you to come with me to my house, Sahib, for a short time — I have something to show you. Please do not say ‘No’.”
“Of course I’ll come,” replied the missionary. As they neared his house, Rambhau said: “In a week’s time I start working for my place in heaven; I am leaving for Delhi — and I am going there on my knees.“
“Man, you are crazy! It’s nine hundred miles to Delhi, and the skin will break on your knees, and you will have blood-poisoning or leprosy before you get to Bombay.“
“No, I must get to Delhi,” affirmed Rambhau, “and the immortals will reward me for it! The suffering will be sweet – for it will purchase heaven for me!“
“Rambhau, my friend – you can’t. How can I bear you to do it – when Jesus Christ has suffered and died to purchase heaven for you!“
But the old man could not be moved. “You are my dearest friend on earth, Sahib Morse. Through all these years you have stood by me in sickness, in want – you have been sometimes my only friend. But even you cannot turn me from my desire to purchase eternal bliss…I must go to Delhi!“
Inside the hut Morse was seated in the very chair Rambhau had specially built for him – where on so many occasions he had read to him the Bible. Rambhau left the room to return soon with a small but heavy English strongbox. “I have had this box for years,” said he, “and I keep only one thing in it. Now I will tell you about it, Sahib Morse. I once had a son…“
“A son! Why, Rambhau, you have never before said a word about him!“
“No, Sahib, I couldn’t.” Even as he spoke the diver’s eyes were moistened.
“Now I must tell you, for soon I will leave, and who knows whether I shall ever return? My son was a diver too. He was the best pearl diver on the coasts of India. He had the swiftest dive, the keenest eye, the strongest arm, the longest breath of any man who ever sought for pearls. What joy he brought to me! Most pearls, as you know, have some defect or blemish only the expert can discern, but my boy always dreamed of finding the ‘perfect’ pearl – one beyond all that was ever found. One day he found it! But even when he saw it – he had been under water too long… That pearl cost him his life, for he died soon after.“
The old pearl diver bowed his head. For a moment his whole body shook, but there was no sound. “All these years,” he continued, “I have kept this pearl – but now I am going, not to return, and to you, my best friend – I am giving my pearl.“
The old man worked the combination on the strongbox and drew from it a carefully wrapped package. Gently opening the cotton, he picked up a mammoth pearl and placed it in the hand of the missionary. It was one of the largest pearls ever found off the coast of India, and glowed with a luster and brilliance never seen in cultured pearls. It would have brought a fabulous sum in any market. For a moment the missionary was speechless and gazed with awe. “Rambhau! What a pearl!“
“That pearl, Sahib, is perfect,” replied the Indian quietly. The missionary looked up quickly with a new thought: Was not this the very opportunity and occasion he had prayed for – to make Rambhau understand the value of Christ’s sacrifice? So he said, designedly, “Rambhau, this is a wonderful pearl, an amazing pearl. Let me buy it. I would give you ten thousand dollars for it.“
“Sahib! What do you mean?“
“Well, I will give you fifteen thousand dollars for it, or if it takes more – I will work for it.“
“Sahib,” said Rambhau, stiffening his whole body, “this pearl is beyond price. No man in all the world has money enough to pay what this pearl is worth to me. On the market a million dollars could not buy it. I will not sell it to you. You may only have it as a gift.“
“No, Rambhau, I cannot accept that. As much as I want the pearl, I cannot accept it that way. Perhaps I am proud, but that is too easy. I must pay for it, or work for it…“
The old pearl-diver was stunned. “You don’t understand at all, Sahib. Don’t you see. My only son gave his life to get this pearl, and I wouldn’t sell it for any money. Its worth is in the life-blood of my son. I cannot sell this – but I can give it to you. Just accept it in token of the love I bear you.“
The missionary was choked, and for a moment could not speak. Then he gripped the hand of the old man. “Rambhau,” he said in a low voice, “don’t you see? My words are just what you have been saying to God all the time.“
The diver looked long and searchingly at the missionary, and slowly, slowly he began to understand. “God is offering you salvation as a free gift,” said the missionary. “It is so great and priceless that no man on earth can buy it. Millions of dollars are too little. No man on earth could earn it. His life would be millions of years too short. No man is good enough to deserve it. It cost God the life-blood of His only Son to make the entrance for you into heaven. In a million years, in a hundred pilgrimages, you could not earn that entrance. All you can do is to accept it as a token of God’s love for you – a sinner. Rambhau, of course I will accept the pearl in deep humility, praying God that I may be worthy of your love. Rambhau, won’t you accept God’s great gift of heaven, too, in deep humility, knowing it cost Him the death of His Son to offer it to you?“
Great tears were now rolling down the cheeks of the old man. The veil was beginning to lift. “Sahib, I see it now. I have believed in the doctrine of Jesus for the last two years, but I could not believe that His salvation was free. Now I understand. Some things are too priceless to be bought or earned. Sahib, I will accept His salvation!“
(Author Unknown)
I do not remember where I read that story, and I cannot locate the author. But that does not matter. What matters is that this old man, a pearl diver from India, came to realize that salvation is priceless but yet free.
How about you? Are you lost? Do you recognize the pearl of great price that is offered to you? Are you saved? Do you recognize what God wants your life to accomplish? Don’t neglect your salvation. Don’t ignore the Pearl inside you!