Christ's Jewels
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The Lord Jesus when on earth, was one of the poorest of men. He was bom to poverty; he was cradled in a stable; he went through his brief life on foot; he had no home during his ministry in which to lay his weary head; and his crucified body was buried in a family tomb borrowed from a stranger. Yet he was all the time laying the foundations, for the most magnificent possessions in the universe of God. He was accumulating the only treasures which can outlast this fleeting globe. They are innumerable human souls redeemed by him unto everlasting glory! To them, his prophetic eye looked forward when he said, "They will be Mine—in the day when I make up My jewels!" Malachi 3:17
Christians are Christ's jewels! They are purchased at the infinite price, of His atoning blood. As the pearls are only won from the depths of the sea by the dangerous dive of the fishers, so were the pearls for Messiah's crown brought up from the miry depths of depravity by the descent of that divine Sufferer who came to seek and to save the lost!
The most brilliant and precious gem known to us—is of the same chemical substance as the black and opaque coal of the mine. Crystallization turns the carbon—into the diamond. In the same manner, the grace of the Lord Jesus transforms a black soul—into a jewel which reflects the glory of Christ's countenance! All the luster that the ripest Christian character possesses, is but the reflection of that Sun of Righteousness. He who lives nearest to Jesus shines the brightest.
A "pearl cast before swine" is not more out of place than is a professed follower of Jesus, in the society of scoffers or in the haunts of revelry. Not all precious jewels glitter in conspicuous positions. The Master has his hidden ones; there are costly sapphires beneath coarse clothing—and up in the dingy attic of poverty. That self-denying Christian daughter who wears out her youthful years in nursing a poor infirm mother—is a ruby of whom the Master says, "You are Mine—in the day when I make up My jewels!"
Many a precious pearl, do our faithful Sunday-school teachers fish up from the dregs of ignorance. From an awful depth did Jesus rescue that converted inebriate, near whom we sat last Sunday at the communion-table. All soul-saving work is a pearl-fishery for King Jesus! "We are His workmanship," said the great apostle.
The luster of a gem—depends much on the polishing. This is often a sharp and a severe process. Many of God's people can recall the times when they were under the harsh file, or were pressed down to the grinding-wheel. Blessed be the affliction, however fierce—which gives new luster to the diamond! The Master spends no time upon worthless pebbles; only his jewels are polished for His palace.
Nor is this process only wrought by the divine hand; every Christian must strive to make his or her own character the more shapely and beautiful. The roughnesses must be smoothed by careful, painstaking self-control; the sharp edges must be cut down by self-sacrifice; the surface must be evened by daily work and spiritual exercise—even trials and sorrows must be borne patiently, knowing that they will give the character an added luster which will more worthily reflect the Master's image.
When these jewels are made ready for his crown—Christ will take them home unto himself! Luther said that there is great divinity in the personal pronouns of Scripture. "They shall be mine says the Lord." This claim is founded on the purchase made in redeeming blood. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit confirms it, and every true believer is also self-surrendered to the ownership of Christ.
Up to the hour of conversion we had other masters—self, sin, and the devil. Now Jesus says to each Christian, "You are mine; I own you. I will instruct you, and polish you, and put you wherever it pleases me. I will take care of your salvation, and no man shall pluck you out of my hand. You shall be my special treasure in the day of my triumphant appearing. I will place you in my crown!" What a coronation day that will be! All else on this globe will be but as lumber and rubbish—fit only for the flames—in comparison with his choice ones.
Then shall the homeless man of Nazareth come into full possession of his magnificent trophies. On the head once bleeding with the thorns—will flash the diadem of his imperial glory! And then will all the universe confess that the ransom was worth all its bitter cost of agonies, when the King shall ascend his throne of victory, and be encircled with the constellations of his jewels!
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