(Originally posted on 22 March 2006)
When I first read the following parable which Jesus was preaching to His people:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45-46)
it seemed like we need to search for God and when we find Him, we need to give up everything we have, all our possessions, our spirit, soul and body, our friends & family, even our will, so that we could gain entry to kingdom of heaven. That seemed to be the general consensus of Christians as well. But that just doesn't sit well with my knowledge that our merciful, loving Heavenly Father had already given His precious Son to us. Hasn't He provided everything for us to be saved? So what's there for me to give? Plus I'm His in the first place.
It wasn't until Pastor Prince mentioned in one of his service that most people have misinterpreted this parable that made me re-visit the parable and my previous interpretation of it. Pastor said we are the fine pearls whereas Jesus is the "Merchant". Somehow, the Spirit in me stirs and bears witness to his declaration. Yes! We are the pearls! How could I miss that??!
To confirm what I've heard from Pastor and the Spirit, I searched through the internet. Yet most of the publications on this parable seemed to be the more common interpretation. Until I found an article that has an interpretation similar to Pastor's and his points raised were valid and biblical. I am going to summarise his points with some modifications.
First, Jesus said "...the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for..." It clearly states heaven is like the merchant not the pearls.
Secondly, no sinner would actively seek Jesus. Adam, the first sinner, hid from God when he knew he'd sinned.
Thirdly, the parable said, "... he went away and sold everything he had...". What do we as man have to offer? We are the ones who need to be redeemed from our sins.
Fourthly, the Bible clearly states "for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast..." (Ephesians 2:8-2:9). Salvation (hence, entrance to heaven) is a gift not something that we can buy!
Therefore, it seemed more reasonable to interpret that we are the pearls and bought by the "Merchant" at a great price (all that He has!). Oh, isn't it amazing that He thinks we are super precious pearls that He gave His all to have us?! Isn't it wonderful that we don't have to seek Him but He comes looking for us??!
And truly that's the case! Jesus became poor (born in a manger) so that we can be rich. Jesus's body was scourged, pierced and burnt so that we can have His divine health. His blood was shed (by e gallons!) so that we are purged of all our past, present and future sins. He was stripped of His clothes so that we can be clothed in His righteousness.
Jesus comes looking for each one of us when we were still ignorant of Him. He is there when you are deep down in that valley of depression. He is there when you are at your rock-bottom to comfort and to bring you hope. He is there when you feel your loved one had abandoned you. He may come in the form of a caring friend, comforting words of a total stranger, soothing lyrics of a song, inspiring words of a book. And we could love because "he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Many a times, I felt that some of the common interpretation of the Bible have been contradicting the view that God is loving and merciful and that we need to "work" to guarantee a place in heaven. Of course, He is just and holy as well but I believe He wants us to know He is love (1 John 4:8) more than anything else. I ask my Abba to provide me with the wisdom in order to discern the true meaning behind His words and teachings.
