Turning Problems into Pearls

Revelation 21:12–21 NKJV

Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The New Jerusalem

New Jerusalem is constructed of various costly gemstones.

The Twelve Foundations are adorned with all kinds of precious stones.

The walls are made of Jasper.

The city is made of pure gold.

The street of the city is like pure gold, like transparent glass.

On earth, these gemstones are mined from the earth.

The Twelve Gates of Pearl

The walls had twelve gates, three gates on each of the four walls.

Each individual gate was made of one pearl.

How are pearls made?

Pearls, on the other hand, are formed by oysters in the sea.

Pearls, regardless of their iridescent colors and smooth shapes, are made of the same chemical material as the shell that surrounds them—calcium carbonate (CaC03).

Combining calcium carbonate with special proteins, oysters produce two crystal structures: calcite and aragonite.

Calcite forms the sturdy outer layer.

Aragonite forms the interior layer, the “mantle”, to maintain the internal pH level.

One form of aragonite is stronger. It is called “nacre”, one of the lightest and strongest biomaterials known to man.

The oyster combines nacre with proteins to form brick-like layers of various thicknesses allowing for different wavelengths of visible light, thus enabling its iridescent and shifting rainbow of colors.

When an irritant of sand enters the oyster and wounds the mantle, the oyster will produce around it a “pearl sack” or “cocoon” consisting of layers of proteins and aragonite until the invader is completely absorbed into an opalescent sphere of nacre.

Thus, the oyster transforms everyday intruders into timeless treasures.

The Problem with Problems

Problems are intruders. They are trespassers who come without an invitation.

Problems are irritants. They are agitators that wound our hearts and minds.

Problems are inconveniences. They disturb our plans and prescribed order.

Problems are injuries. They harm us and cause pain and grief.

Problems are impediments. They cripple our independence and control.

Problems are Gateways into the Kingdom.

Acts 14:19–22 NKJV

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 13:45–46 NKJV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Those who dive into the sea of affliction, bring up rare pearls!” –Charles H. Spurgeon

Turning Problems into Pearls

Pearls are beautiful. Pearls are valuable. Pearls are precious. Pearls are sought.

Jesus is the Pearl of Great Price who was formed from great problems and afflictions.

Pearl (Acrostic)

P—Purpose. There can be no pearl without a problem.

E—Endurance. Pearls do not form overnight.

A—Attitude. Our attitude will determine our altitude to rise above the problem.

R—Redemption. Let God turn something ugly into something beautiful.

L—Light. Let the multicolored light of God’s grace amid the problem shine to the people around you for God’s glory!

Turn your many problems into a beautiful string of pearls for the glory of God!

Response to the Word

Seek after Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price.

Bring your problems to Jesus.

Allow Jesus to turn your problems into pearls.

Poem:

“A pearl is a beautiful thing that is produced by an injured life. It is the tear (that results) from the injury of the oyster. The treasure of our being in this world is also produced by an injured life. If we had not been wounded, if we had not be injured, then we ill not produce the pearl.” –Stephen Hoeller, American Author and Scholar