“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly [fine] pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:45–46
SWEET MYSTERY!
The true church is the pearl of great price. Its formation covers a large part of the period of the mysteries of the kingdom, and is itself called a mystery (Romans 16:25–26; Ephesians 3: 3–12; Colossians 1:24–27). A pearl, however, is an illustration of the church as:
(1) A pearl is formed by accretion (growth—adding on) and that not mechanically but vitally, as Christ adds to the Church (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; Ephesians 2:21; Colossians 2:19). A pearl is formed inside certain mollusks, like oysters, as a defense mechanism agent to a potentially threatening irritant by the microscopic intruder such as a parasite inside, or an accidental attack from outside, or when a grain of sand gets into the shell. This accretion is spontaneously created by nature, but abrasive-like to the inner oyster bivalve shell right between the mantle tissue and the shell. The mantle tissue reacts by making layers of shell material around it creating a pearl sac to seal off the irritation. This secretion process is repeated often, creating a pearl; nearly 100% calcium carbonate (CaCo3) and conchiolin; white, pale, or black.
Such an illustration of a pearl, can, by many, consider Jesus Christ as an “intruder,” invading the “life-shell” of man. Man is irritated, uneasy, and exudes layers of hard resistance, repelling the beauteous effects of His presence. Ah! But, man’s life-filled pearly works are distorted, colorless, asymmetrical, and result in a pearl of no value. Man’s efforts to resist are valueless—all vanity. Quality, natural pearls are very rare jewels—indeed; hence, man’s cultured pearls merely mimic the fine Pearl of Jesus.
(2) Christ, having given Himself, therefore, for the pearl, is now preparing it for the kingdom during the fulfillment of these mysteries, baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:12–13). They compose the Church—the Pearl!
In the parable of the Pearl, or in figurative language, it is consistent to regard the “merchant man” as Christ, who came seeking men and women (goodly pearls) who would respond to Him and His message.
The one pearl, moreover, depicts that other great company in the Kingdom, the Church, composed of men and women who are made one in the Church (1 Corinthians 10:17; 12:12–13).
Now, most children of men, however, are profoundly busy in life’s journey, as the maddened storm of life rages about us. They are seeking goodly pearls; one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned, another famous. But, most are imposed upon, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ, however, is a Pearl of great price, a Jewel of inestimable value, which will make those who have it, rich, truly rich, rich toward God. In having Him, we have enough to make us happy here and forever more! It is a sweet and delicate mystery—no longer bewildering—for the seekers.
Such, then, is the mystery form of the kingdom (Matthew 3:2). It is the sphere of Christian profession during this age. It is a mingled body of true and false, wheat and tares, good and bad. It is defiled by formalism, doubt, and worldliness. But within it, Christ, the Pearl, sees the true children of the true kingdom who, at the end, are to “shine forth as the sun.” In the great field, the world, He sees His treasure that He redeems for His own through His cross. Thus, in this aspect of the kingdom, He sees the church, composed of believers and for joy, sells all that He has (2 Corinthians 8:9) and buys the pearl.
SPIRITUAL MERCHANTS
A true Christian, moreover, is a spiritual merchant, that seeks and finds this pearl of great price; that does not take up with anything short of an interest in Christ, and, as one that is resolved to be spiritually rich, trades high; He went and bought that pearl; did not only bid for it, but purchased it. What will it avail us to know Christ, if we do not know Him as ours, made to us wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)? Those who would have a saving interest in Christ must be willing to part with all for Him, leave all to follow Him. Whatever stands in opposition to Christ, or in competition with Him for our love and service, we must cheerfully quit it, though ever so dear to us. A man may buy gold too dear, but not this pearl of great price.
I have a friend who has many glittering pearls, but she has yet to seek the great treasure which is her own spiritual life in God. She is very successful: busy, projects, investments, wealth, and all sorts of church things and interests based on traditions, rituals, and family ties. She has, however, missed the pearl of great price, her own dialogue with God’s Spirit. But, at the mention of the word “spirituality,” (GR: pneumatiko) she flinches and abruptly twitches, much as a goat whose udder is oppressively squeezed. By the way, the judgment of individual Gentiles at Christ’s return to earth will be separated one from another; (1) sheep— saved Gentiles; (2) goats—unsaved Gentiles (Matthew 25:32–33).
Mentioning or even suggesting the Bible and its teachings to many (the most read and influential book of all time; affecting the world for centuries in innumerable ways) is the stumbling block posed by the powers that be in high places. Teaching the Bible can, therefore, be a touchy subject for some. One can’t always broach it without someone barking out, “forcing religion down my throat!” Many nominal Christians and ardent atheists, as well, appreciate the Bible’s educational heft while rejecting its spiritual claims.
MORE THAN SOCRATES OR PLATO!
Many slight the Bible, and it’s just to them another book or an obsolete book, Satan offers spiritualistic manifestations in place of the Bible—in place of God’s word (Early Writings, p. 91, 265; The Story of Redemption, p. 396–397). Furthermore, it influences men to “believe that the Bible is mere fiction.” The Great Controversy, p. 557. Ah! But, without the Bible, even Shakespeare would read differently—there are more than 1,200 references to Scripture in his works! Moreover, “No one in the English-speaking world can be considered literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible.” The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, James S. Trefil, et al, 1993
Nevertheless, spiritualism—counterfeit of truth; necromancy, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, phrenology, animal magnetism, demon worship, etc., are all delusions, lies of Satan, and is gaining a strong hold in the world—becoming more frequent as it is monstrously invading the churches, educational and political institutions.
The Gospel of Christ is more than Socrates’ or Plato’s philosophy, although classic and brilliant, or Confucius’s (Chinese philosopher; 551–478 B.C.) intellectual morals, ethical code, and his well-known aphorisms, although he was humanistic and rationalistic in his outlook. Socrates (469–399 B.C.) was an enigma, yet considered one of the founders of Western Philosophy. Yet, Socrates, famous for his quotes, himself wrote—“I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
Plato (427–347 BC), Socrates’ most famous student, and 40 years his junior was one of the world’s best known and most widely read and studied philosophers. “Plato is philosophy and philosophy is Plato.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Plato was the teacher of Aristotle. As a young man Plato turned his attention to what is a virtuous life.
But, those however, who have searched the Scriptures, so as in them to find Christ and eternal life, (John 5:39), have discovered such an immense treasure, such a pearl, and make it infinitely more valuable, dignified–and woe-comforting; more than Socrates and Plato!
FLUTTERING SPIRITUALITY
But, my friend may have some good reason for her frustrating reaction on hearing the word “spirituality.” In these past few decades, we have had so many versions of what people think is spirituality that many have become afraid to claim any interest in it—not that they were ever so sure themselves, just what it was. Now, however, we are definitely experiencing a sea change—a vast audience—many more in doubt and confused; emotionally lost!
Have you noticed the religion section in your local chain bookstore? Almost threadbare on such issues in years past, bookstores now have whole sections devoted to “spiritual topics,” such as: channeling spirits of the dead, foods that can induce a trance, the secret meaning of recently found scriptures, the recently found ark of the covenant, exotic approaches to meditation, inner peace from within, how man is accountable only to himself, revealing heaven—proof of heaven (a Neurosurgeon’s near death experiences), the Lamb’s agenda, breaking the Jewish Code, atheist’s manifesto, etc.; a broiling information age! Christian writers, furthermore, are noticing the insights of many Eastern religions and even making use of them in their teachings. It’s enough to make a person avoid the whole thing or, at the very least, to be cautious—and to sing out—“Give Me the Bible!”(Psalm: 119:105); perhaps the Christian’s theme-song?
Ah! And what about the current obsession with angels? Recent media sources have featured interviews with people who claim to have seen angels or interacted with them in some manner. There are even more and more books, cards, sit-coms, T-shirts, iPods, iPads, iPhones, YouTube, Twitter, even jewelry that depict angels. Have you noticed? Many even have their ears pierced (especially the young) and tiny angels can fly toward your face at all times! Yipes!
SPIRITUAL MOMENTS
Ah! But, definitely, it has become religiously correct to say you are “spiritual” or “into spirituality” or living a “spiritual life.” But, as serious church people, many are not at all sure what that is, or at least for those who have been steeped in our traditional forms of weekly worship and principles, and who have relied on those pillars of faith that support all of their lives. Some churchgoers worry that spirituality is now a New Age religion, while others think of it as contained chiefly within the Roman Catholic or Greek monastic life (Mt. Athos, Greece). Many have respectfully heard monastic orders solemnly chanting ancient or medieval, and melancholy chants since children (I affectionately remember); although liturgical, guttural and nasal, but somewhat mournful—and loving it with a haunting reverence.
The most important thing, however, for us to know at this time is that the “spiritual” is more than a trend or inclination. It has to do with the yearning toward the Creator—found in the innermost part of each human being’s heart, mind, and soul. The capacity for the transcendent, however, has always been part of man’s nature; that is, a desire to go beyond a measure or standard, to reach beyond human understanding—the supernatural—in philosophy, a concept that understanding goes beyond human reason to the intuitive.
Transcendentalism is found in several religions and cults as the way to understand God—to be in tune with Him. But, failure to address the transcendent may account for the eruption in our society of the current interest in all sorts of “spiritualities!” The transcendental meditation technique is, in fact, based on Hindu traditions, for relaxing and refreshing mind and body through silent repetition of mantra (metrical psalms of praise).
A more acceptable definition, therefore, of spirituality is simply, “connecting with God!” Well, that may sound too simple to some, but give it a chance. Let it sink in. By responding, somehow, to the Creator, by sensing that we are accompanied, we feel quite a different dimension in our lives. We have all had moments when we felt an extraordinary sense of being connected to something larger than ourselves—in awe and wonderment—Heavenly—in a Divine Presence. These are spiritual moments—“spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6; 3:10). Those who have gone before us testify to the human capacity to live, not momentarily, but continually in this Presence!
ISRAEL—WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
The challenging and delicate problem to be solved, both by individual people and by congregations, however, is how to nurture that keen sense of connection and intimacy? Ah! It’s workable—but how? Well, we know, firstly, from experience that we simply cannot command it! We yearn for a road-map and suspect that the Christian faith should have more to offer on this subject. But, what we actually do have is an unbelievably rich legacy of narrative accounts written by those who have gone before us, who lived in a less mechanical, computerized, digital world and who experimented with and reported on their ways of talking and interacting with God—many, one on ONE!
Until recently, unfortunately, many of us had almost lost touch with this treasure. The current fascination with spirituality has, along with its eclectic sources, also brought along a revival of interest in the works of a myriad of mystics too unfathomable to name in number. Note! These are not merely people who gaze into crystals or channel messages from others—namely the dead. But, these are solid, ordinary people who have experienced God and who tell us of their spiritual adventures!
We have many spiritual pathways, however, from dozens of people; prophets, kings, patriarchs, apostles, disciples, and pioneers, who lived and wrote in order to guide, and inform—“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.” John 16:13.
But, somehow, many have stopped valuing their treasure—their gems—their pearls (attrition ceases), so that the spiritually focused life seems, to many, like a foreign country, a remote image, or circumstance, of one who speaks a language that many no longer know. Spirituality has not been their territory—their domain—an abstract entity!
What effect, therefore, does the popularity of spiritual things have upon us then? How are we affected by this renewed interest in our internal being—our awareness—our spirituality, much of which may be foreign to our traditional modes of worship and our goal-orientated way of looking at things? Well, the results, I think, are mixed. There is both curse and blessing in this fascination with the spiritual for the “children of Israel,” and “fellow travelers.” Read on!
NEGATIVE EFFECTS!
The negative effect is that such obsessions tend to give a bad name to our deepest religious feelings. Shallowness, trivializes! Some of us, in fact, have treasured a deep spiritual life long before it was discovered by aficionados of the spiritual growth movements and their wild scenes.
We may feel put off by this sudden interest and sense that as people of faith, we have been made laughable to more erudite types. We also fear the effects on those among us who suffer insecurity and so grasp at any magic—may it be from family, believers, church-goers, brethren, neighbours, leaders, or teachers. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3–4. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that his teaching will come under attack as men desert the truth for “ear itching” words.
POSITIVE EFFECTS!
Ah! But the positive effect for us is great if we can discern what is useful and what is not. We are, at the very least, being offered hope that this deepest yearning part of ourselves is being acknowledged. Others are now giving consideration to the possibility of the something more that we have suspected was there all along. We are, ehh—It would seem, not so strange after all! From this acknowledgment, we may summon the courage to do as the holy men of old did, which is to boldly step into the world of deeper prayer and meditation, knowing that this more intimate contact with God is part of our nature and of our heritage. So, you see, this is what we have been missing! This is the void—the vacuum residing in our palpitating hearts!
THE GOAL
The goal, therefore, is not to discard praying, believing, worshiping, or the church. No! That would be tragedy. The gift to us, the pearl, hidden in the current popularity of spirituality, may be that of preserving what we have, cherishing it, and taking it even further by exploring our relationship with God as a personal companion, a brother, a friend—our Saviour!
During the fifties and early sixties, a Quaker writer, Elton Trueblood, used a metaphor I find particularly illuminating. He called the nominal churches the “cut flower generation.” What he meant was that the church was like a flower in full generation. Churches did bloom, so to speak. It was a decade of flourishing growth, and of high activity. Since then, however, we have seen a withering of the churches—dying, or dead! What do you suppose happened? Were they cut off from their source of nutrients, let their spiritual energy become exhausted, as the churches wilted? Hmmm?
TAPROOT
What we all really want, finally, for the church is a recovery of that spiritual taproot (a large single root growing straight down) that resides in the Christian faith. Granted, we will need to carefully thread our way through the bourgeoning array of spiritualities displayed. But we can tread a sure path as we reconnect, revisit, with Scripture, prayer and those people, past and present, who have cared about this God-connection. It is the highest human adventure; one which now presents itself to us as the reclaiming of wholeness and the recovery of our spirituality.
So then, first, let prayer—be your most powerful weapon in critical times. “To pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.” –Steps to Christ, p. 100 (emphasis mine)
If we are to believe Jesus, then the pearl of great price is the kingdom of heaven. Ah! But there are many smaller kingdoms which keep us active, busy, boisterous, distracted, diversified, and occupied, but the great treasure, the one that is worth all the others, is our connection to God—More Than Socrates and Plato.
“The kingdom of God is within you!” Luke 17:21
AMEN and AMEN <><
John Theodorou
U.S.A.