The Youth’s Instructor

October 10, 1895

Humanity the Lost Pearl

EGW

The kingdom of heaven is represented as being 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.” YI October 10, 1895, par. 1

This parable has a double significance, and applies not only to man seeking the kingdom of heaven, but to Christ seeking his lost inheritance. Through transgression, man lost his holy innocence, and mortgaged himself to Satan. Christ, the only begotten Son of God, pledged himself for the redemption of man, and paid the price of his ransom on the cross of Calvary. He left the worlds unfallen, the society of holy angels in the universe of heaven; for he could not be satisfied while humanity was alienated from him. The heavenly merchantman lays aside his royal robe and crown. Though the Prince and Commander of all heaven, he takes upon him the garb of humanity, and comes to a world that is marred and seared with the curse, to seek for the one lost pearl, to seek for man fallen through disobedience. For our sake he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. YI October 10, 1895, par. 2

Satan is exercising his power over the human race. He accused God and Christ, misrepresenting the Father, and deceiving men in regard to the Prince of the hosts of heaven. More and more he was obscuring the knowledge of the only true God, taking possession of the minds of men, and afflicting their bodies. The messengers that God sent were refused, beaten, and killed. Christ came to the world to meet the wily foe, and to dispute his claim of sovereignty over the earth. He came to the world as a man, veiling his majesty and glory, clothing his divinity with humanity, in order that he might not extinguish the sinful race, but stand where man stood, to endure the temptations under which Adam failed. He became the substitute and surety for the fallen world, and submitted to every test that could be brought to bear upon his loyalty to God. He had only the advantages in the battle which are the privilege of fallen man. He was tempted in all points like as we are, but he met Satan with the weapon of God's word, saying, “It is written.” YI October 10, 1895, par. 3

The warfare between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness was carried on under far more discouraging circumstances than was the battle between Adam and Satan. Christ's life was a continual battle until he was offered up on Calvary's cross. But in spite of Satan's temptation, in spite of the trials and humiliations that came upon the Son of God, he carried out the divine mission of which the prophet Isaiah had written ages before. In the synagogue at Nazareth he read the words of the prophet, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound [in unbelief and hopeless despair by the power of Satan]; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” YI October 10, 1895, par. 4

This is the work that Christ, the merchantman, who comes to rescue his goodly pearls, is to do. He finds his pearl buried in rubbish. Selfishness incrusts the human heart, and it is bound by the tyranny of Satan. But he lifts the soul out of its darkness, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We are brought into covenant relationship with God, and receive pardon and find peace. Jesus finds the pearl of lost humanity, and resets it in his own diadem. The same thought is brought out in the parable where the faithful shepherd leaves the ninety and nine, and goes forth to find the one lost sheep. Christ comes to save perishing souls. He did not come to labor exclusively for one favored nation, but to pour out his blessings upon a lost world. He came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every apartment of his temple. No true worshiper need meet any obstruction in approaching the God of the temple. He said, “I am the light of the world.” He would inspire the most sinful, the most debased with hope. He says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” When a soul finds the Saviour, the Saviour rejoices as a merchantman that has found his goodly pearl. By his grace he will work upon the soul until it will be like a jewel polished for the heavenly kingdom. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” YI October 10, 1895, par. 5

Mrs. E. G. White

(To be concluded.)