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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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value exceeds all else, he returns <strong>and</strong> sells all that<br />

he has, in order to buy this unique gem. <strong>The</strong><br />

supreme value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kingdom, <strong>the</strong> consequent<br />

desire to appropriate it, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> necessity <strong>of</strong><br />

parting with all else for this purpose, are <strong>the</strong> points<br />

common to this <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> previous Parable. But in<br />

<strong>the</strong> one case, it is marked that this treasure is hid<br />

from common view in <strong>the</strong> field, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> finder<br />

makes unexpected discovery <strong>of</strong> it, which fills him<br />

with joy. In <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r case, <strong>the</strong> merchantman is,<br />

indeed^ in search <strong>of</strong> pearls, but he has <strong>the</strong> wisdom<br />

to;discover <strong>the</strong> transcendent value <strong>of</strong> this one gem,<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> yet greater wisdom to give up all fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

search <strong>and</strong> to acquire it at <strong>the</strong> surrender <strong>of</strong><br />

everything else. Thus, two different aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Kingdom, <strong>and</strong> two different conditions on <strong>the</strong> part<br />

<strong>of</strong> those who, for its sake, equally part with all, are<br />

here set before <strong>the</strong> disciples.<br />

Nor was <strong>the</strong> closing Parable <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Draw-net less<br />

needful. Assuredly it became, <strong>and</strong> would more <strong>and</strong><br />

more become, <strong>the</strong>m to know, that mere<br />

discipleship—mere inclusion in <strong>the</strong> Gospel-net—

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