Kingship

Posted on April 12, 2019 8:43 am by janjoybell@yahoo.com

Part Seven

Parables are meant to conceal and reveal kingship, that’s why Jesus spoke to crowds of people concealing the meaning from unbelievers but giving revelation to believers. There was a flow in His teachings on the beach, the effects of the enemy on the kingdom, but these House Parables (Matt. 13:36-52) explain the origin and future of God’s plan of redemption.

Jesus had previously described Himself as a planter, baker, man, and now a merchant, however, this wasn’t just any merchant but one diligently searching for valuable pearls until he found just the right one.

Pearls are fascinating because they’re the only gem created out of suffering. That grain of sand causes injury and the oyster covers that pain, over and over again, until the transformation of something precious appears. This new creation cannot be split like other jewels because it would be destroyed; it must remain unified as one pearl. That’s the lower story.

Paul tells us in Rom. 3:11 that no one searches for God because we’re all sinners. There’s not a shred of goodness in us that would cause us, Jew or Gentile, to seek God and His salvation; OK, so God is the merchant but what about the pearl?

Well, what causes suffering to God? The answer is simple: sin. Before creation the Father sent His Son on assignment to redeem or purchase a Bride for Himself out of sin. We are the pearl. Jesus gave up His divine form temporarily and came to earth to become like us so we could become like Him. He is the merchant who found this valuable pearl, and gave up everything to buy it.

… Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her.

He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

Ephesians 5:25b, 27, 32

In Jewish tradition it’s the groom’s family who pays the bride-price and provides the wedding feast; isn’t that just like God?

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days He has been revealed for your sake. 1 Peter 1:18-20

The Bride of Christ, the Church, has been gradually formed over time, similar to a pearl, and what caused injury has become a thing of beauty. One day the Bridegroom will return to receive His Pearl of Great Price.