Jesus wanted His disciples to know what the church (i.e., the kingdom) would be like, describing its many aspects through parables, including its immeasurable value. In one parable, Jesus said that His church is “like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls” (Matt. 13:45). Do you know anyone who is searching for truth? What a beautiful pearl! But notice what Jesus said this merchant found.
He “found one pearl of great price” (13:46). He found what? The pearl he found was of “great price”! Its value superseded everything else that he found! What did this pearl represent? It was the kingdom/church. Now look again. How many pearls did the merchant find? Exactly! He found ONE pearl of great price. There is only one church/kingdom (Eph. 4:4)! And, when he found it, he realized what he had, so he “sold all that he had and bought it.”
The church of Christ is that one pearl of great price! It was bought with the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28)! When true searchers find it, they recognize its unique value and must have it!