In the next parable we have the kingdom of heaven brought before us in a still different manner. Here we learn something of what believers are to Christ. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is 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.” Here is a man of experience seeking goodly pearls. He knows the value and beauty of what he is seeking. He is willing to part with all that he has and he does so. Some would have us believe that the Lord Himself is the pearl of great price and that this is the experience of one finding Him as his Saviour. But the Lord shows us that He is the seeker. He knows what a thing of beauty the pearl can become under His care. This parable would tell us of the loveliness of the church in the eyes of Christ. This is all beautifully brought before us in Ephesians 5:25-2725Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25‑27). In verse 25 we have His great love for the church: “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” In verse 26 we have His present service for us: “that He might sanctify (set apart for Himself) and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.” The church needs cleansing in its passage through this world, which is a defiled place, under the influence of Satan, its prince and its god. Only the Spirit of God through the Word of God can enable us to see this defilement. The Spirit of God also gives us power to walk in separation from its influence.
In the figure of the pearl we have not only the beauty and perfection of the church, but also its unity. Every believer is precious to Christ, but He also sees us as one in Him — “one pearl of great price.”
The Gospel Today
The last parable brings before us a fishing scene. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.” Here we find that those who handle the net are used in separating the good from the bad. They are only occupied with the good and gather them into vessels. It is the same ones who cast the net into the sea — the masses of peoples — that bring the net to shore, and then separate the good from the bad. They know the good fish and that is their business. This parable shows the part the servants of God have in the work of the gospel now. The good are not only brought to shore but are separated into companies for blessing.
This parable does not go beyond this present age to the time that takes place after the church has been caught up to heaven. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the age to come, but there will be no gathering in of both good and bad then. Those who receive the gospel message then will do so amid great persecution from those who will not receive it. Some will suffer death on account of it, but they will receive a heavenly portion instead of an earthly one.
They cast the bad away, but “at the end of the [age]: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire.” This is the work of the angels. “There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Such will be the portion of those who have professed to have received the gospel but without any work of faith in their hearts.
Further Meditation
1. In what ways does the pearl represent the church?
2. Why does the Lord use figurative language to describe the church?
3. You’ll find further help on these figures of the church in The Church Seen Under Twelve Figures in the New Testament by B. Anstey.