Q. My question is in Matt 13: 45-46. Who is the pearl of great value? Jesus or us?...I believe we are the pearl despite the popular interpretation that Jesus is...what say you?
A. If what is in view in Matt. 13:45-46 is the heavenly city that has foundations whose builder and maker is God...and I think it is...then both are true.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner tone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner...But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:1 Peter 2:4-7,9
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: ! Peter 1:18-19
Q. To follow up my question, I tend to agree with A.W. Pink's perspective.. http://www.pbministries.org/books/pi...arables_06.htm
A. Pink has excellent comments on the pearl representing the church. And I basically agree with what he says. Here is the way I see it:
The pearl represents the heart of man (a.k.a. living stone)..but also the heart of Christ (a Living Stone who is the Corner), reminding us that He became like us in order to transform us into His likeness. For example:
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Heb 2:17
And I agree that a sinner does not wholly consider the preciousness of Christ when he enters the gate of salvation other than rightly reaching for Jesus as an escape from God's judgment on his sin. However, when we enter the gate and continue coming to Him as living stones coming to the Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4) his preciousness grows in our sight. But even then the only thing we can give Him is our sin-prone selves in service as we are [slowly but surely] letting go of the world to serve Him--as expressed by Paul
although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Phil 3:4-8
I agree that it could be viewed as both, but i have a feeling Christ had in mind only one that represented the Pearl of Great Price - that being Himself. (Phil. 3:4-8 said it well)
ReplyDeleteI would err on the Christ-exalting interpretation when in doubt! :)
Good point!! Is it a "jump ball" as to which view exalts Christ more? In man's eyes? In the Father's eyes?
ReplyDeleteHave this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 2 Phil 2:5-9
i guess it depends on how you articulate your interpretation. If the pearl is a picture of the church and you emphasize the person and work of Christ who can turn smelly mud into a beautiful pearl, then i would call it a jump ball! :)
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