Priceless Treasures

DateLine (11/30/05 – Ponce, Puerto Rico)

A train streaked across the dark English countryside carrying a priceless antiquity. At the main station in London the cargo was put into a taxi for the trip to the final destination where a large crowd had gathered hoping to snatch a glimpse of the treasure. The museum had paid the handsome sum of more than $500,000 for the privilege of housing this significant historical object. More than half of the procurement funds had been donated by the general public, no doubt some contributors were present as the taxi screeched to a halt. The door swung open, and the couriers exited with the prize. As the package passed by all of the men present took off their hats out of respect. A scene right out of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? No way! These were actual events that occurred in December 27, 1933. The object was not a golden chalice – the Holy Grail, but it was a manuscript of the Holy Bible.

Of what must have originally comprised about 730 leaves, 393 remain, 245 of the Old Testament and 148 of the New. The leaves are of very fine vellum, measuring approximately fifteen inches square. The style of its script, along with other factors, make it quite certain that it was copied about the middle of the fourth century. The Sinaitic Manuscript is the oldest complete manuscript of the New Testament that exists today.

Can you imagine the scene described above which occurred in London England in 1933 occurring today in our nation’s capital or for that matter any other major city in the world. Our contemporary society is busy purging any vestige of the Christian faith from public view or recitation. Respect for the Bible has waned at an alarming pace. Even in the Christian church the reading of the Holy Scripture has sometimes been replaced by entertaining self-help speeches and encouragements to embrace positive thinking.

The Bible is the foundation of our Christian faith. It is the primary method that God has chosen to reveal Himself to His people! It has encouraged every generation of Christian to stay the course! It has built up the faith of the weak! It has disclosed the will of God to the wavering! It has convicted the sinful of their error! But there is no doubt that we are tempted today to take it for granted. How many times have you observed a Bible carelessly tossed into the corner only to collect dust?

Here’s the challenge! The Bile is the source of the Christmas story that we honor during this holiday season. Would you consider assembling a display of the Bible in a prominent place during this Christmas season in your home? Why don’t you leave it open to the page that says, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) And every time you pass by your display think about the men on that sidewalk 72 years ago in London who removed their hats in respect.