What the Church Is to Christ

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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It is good sometimes to see the saints, the church and people of God in their own beauty as viewed of God; it elevates our thoughts, gives God’s mind of what is lovely, and shows what we ought to be. But all this is according to what is in God’s mind, so that His affections and delight are revealed to us. Surely it will humble us as to our practical state. Thus in the parables of the treasure hid in the field and the pearl of great price, we have what they are to Christ. He sells all He has to have them, gives up His life, everything, to have them, for joy thereof; what a place to have with Him! Indeed, in a higher scene, when in the form of God, He gave up the outward glory, made Himself of no reputation, and took on Him the form of a servant. When He was rich, for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. But doubtless the parable specially refers to His giving up what He possessed as Messiah, but not excluding higher glory. So He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul in us and be satisfied. In the parable of the pearl of great price, He was looking for what was especially lovely and beautiful; He understood it, was seeking it, according to His estimate of what was beautiful, and that was according to Himself. He found one especially lovely and sold all to have it — the saints in whom He could delight and be satisfied; He gives up all for them. How lovely they must be in His mind, for they are indeed according to it! He loved the church and gave Himself for it, to sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, to present it to Himself a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish — a pearl of great price. Hence He will be, in the end, glorified in His church and admired in all them that believe. How blessed, and what rest it gives the heart! But even now He says, “I am glorified in them” (John 17:1010And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. (John 17:10)).
J. N. Darby