(Delmont Record – 11/18/2013)

Precious Treasure

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.  We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:18-19, NIV)

Sometimes it is amazing how mesmerized we human beings can become over trivial things while completely disregarding the truly awesome things all around us.  We really have a knack with assigning great value to worthless things and failing to see the value in the most precious treasures.  In fact, this trait is so widespread among us that there are a whole host of television shows that are devoted to showing just how bad we can be at estimating the worth of things.  One of the first to do this was Antiques Roadshow where people would bring in all sorts of old things they found lying around their house in order to find out exactly what they were worth.  Oftentimes, the curious owners were disappointed to find out their “treasures” were much more common, and worthless, than they had thought or dreamed.  But every once in a while a real treasure was brought in which often surprised the owners.  Sometimes these pieces didn’t look like much, but they still carried enormous value because they were unique.  They were one of a kind; there was nothing else like them.

Ironically, when it comes to the books of this world, the one that has been printed the most is still the most valuable.  That book, of course, is the Holy Bible.  And it is the most valuable because it is unique – not in number, but in quality.  There is nothing like it.  Even by purely earthly tests it is unique, for the Bible is not really one book but a compilation of many books.  It has many different authors that span hundreds of years and yet it still retains a single, unique, message.  It tells of a God who became a man nearly 2000 years ago.  And this was not an account that was written down many years later, but we are told that the pages of Scripture contain eye-witness testimony of that event.  The Apostle Peter assures us that we have a first-hand account of the greatest miracle to ever happen here on this earth – the incarnation of Jesus Christ – his birth, life, death, and resurrection.  And that these accounts are not just cleverly devised stories but are true-life events.  They are reliable; they are trustworthy.  Yet, how many times have we placed a limited value on this most precious treasure we’ve been given?  How many times do we look at the Bible as a common thing – as something ordinary?

Sometimes I think the Judgment Day will be a lot like the heavenly version of Antiques Roadshow. We will all line up with one chance to bring before the Lord whatever it is we value most and have it appraised.  Some will line up with their collection of silver and gold, and the Lord will not even slow down to examine it further.  Others will bring before him their accomplishments and accolades and God will yawn as He walks past.  But then He will come to someone holding an old, worn-out Bible and immediately His interest will rise.  He will stop, and getting excited, will ask that person all about the book they are holding.  The others in line will scoff; they will ridicule this display.  Maybe someone will even dare to ask God, “Why are you so happy that they brought an old Bible?”  And I can almost hear God say, “I’m not happy that this person brought me a Bible, but I am overjoyed that this Bible has brought this person to me.”  For that is the most unique aspect of the Bible.  It is a living Word, and it is a book that in itself has a purpose.  God says of His Word in Isaiah 55:11, “It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  And the unique purpose of this unique book it to point us to our unique Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.