Cross

Jesus did not liken the kingdom of God to a diamond, but to a pearl.  Of all precious stones, the pearl has the humblest origin.  It begins with a wound and is created out of God's resources for healing the wound.  So the kingdom begins with a wound, the wound in the body of Jesus.  Then we marvel at God s resources for healing: physically, mentally, spiritually!

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J. Michael Shannon is professor of preaching at Cincinnati Bible College in Cincinnati, OH.