Bible Study for Christian Women and Pastors Wives ~ I Am A Pearl of Great Price, Part 2

Bible Study for Christian Women and Pastors Wives ~ I Am A Pearl of Great Price, Part 2
     When I think about the following two verses, I find myself going in two different directions. The verses are from Matthew 13:45-46. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
     The Lord Jesus is teaching in parables and His subject is the kingdom of God.
     One way to meditate on these verses is us, me, being the pearl of great price and Jesus being The Merchant Man. The other way of meditating is that Jesus Christ is The Pearl of great price and we are the merchant.
     Let's think about the first thought: I was (am) of great value to The Lord, but I was lost and hidden in the world's field of sin. Actually, Adam had commented high treason and gave away the keys to earth to the devil, which included all future mankind, including me. John 3:15-18 "15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Hhim should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God."
     That would make us, me and you, "the pearl of great price." The price - The Son of God. What an exchange!
     Now, let's look at it the second way: Jesus is The Pearl of great value and we are the merchant. Although we absolutely cannot buy our salvation, it is totally a free gift from God that cost Him everything as is seen in Ephesians 2:8-9 "8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast;" there is a cost in following Jesus. To follow Jesus may cost friends, family, security, lifestyle, and may incur persecution even unto death. But, as a Christian, Jesus Christ is worth that price. 
     There is an old hymn by Esther Kerr Rushtoi that we need to sing and remember: [©1940 Singspiration Music (ASCAP) All rights reserved. Used by permission of the Benson Music Group Inc.]

When We See Christ

"Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ."

So, dear Reader, which way do you think it should go? Who's the pearl of great value and who's the merchant?

Be blessed in The Name above every name, Jesus! I know I am!
Linda L Culbreth