Two men might have been seen standing on the steps of a building in a busy thoroughfare. One had a diamond of considerable value to sell, the other was a prospective buyer.
The owner stood, diamond in hand, discussing its sale, when a newspaper boy in his haste jostled against him, and shook the diamond out of the merchant's hand. On ran the boy, all unconscious of what had occurred. To the horror of the merchant, the diamond rolled into the gutter, and before it could be stopped, fell through the grating.
The grating was examined, and it was found to lead to a coal cellar. The owner of the house was requested to allow search to be made for the lost jewel, which he readily granted. For hours search was made, but all unavailing.
Then one of the merchants offered to buy the coal for $25 so as to take it away, and make more thorough search for the lost diamond. Next day the coal, weighing about two tons, was taken away in sacks, the floor carefully swept of even the coal dust, so as to make sure that the diamond would be included, and then removed to a mansion in the West End, where this merchant lived.
The process of washing the coal was begun, when to the relief of the merchant the diamond was found in the very first sack, and the negotiations between the two merchants, thus rudely interrupted, proceeded, and in due time the diamond changed hands by purchase.
Every reader of this story will agree that all the trouble and expense incurred in the recovery of the diamond was legitimate and praiseworthy.
But can you understand people being so careful and persevering in the matter of a diamond worth about $150, and absolutely careless as to their immortal soul and its everlasting destiny Men know not when death may claim them as its victim. They know that God must punish sin, and that the Bible clearly states that sinners dying without Christ and in their sins must go to hell forever, and yet they are careless and indifferent. Nothing moves them to concern. Can you understand it?
Unknown friend, fellow-traveler to eternity, we warn you, you have a soul, more precious by far than a paltry diamond, glittering in a kingly crown. The merchant was rightly concerned in seeking the recovery of the lost diamond. He did two things.
1. He bought the coal in the cellar so as to ensure the recovery of the diamond.
2. He washed the coal till he found it. Does this not illustrate beautifully the glorious Gospel of God? We read in Matthew 13:44, 4544Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (Matthew 13:44‑45), a parable of the treasure hid in the field, and the man buying the field so as to possess himself of the treasure. We are told plainly, "The field is the world" (ver. 38).
So the Son of God, co-equal with the Father, became Man, laid down His life on the cross, made atonement, settled the whole question of sin, and acquired redemptive rights over the whole world, rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God, in the glory, thus enabling God in righteousness to offer salvation to "whosoever will.”
The merchant paid $25 for the coal; the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself—and that, to the unspeakable horrors of the cross.
But further, the Lord Jesus seeks as well as saves. Just as the diamond merchant sought diligently for his lost gem, so in a far more wonderful way the Lord Jesus seeks. Did not the good shepherd seek for his lost sheep till he found it?
"I AM THE GOOD
SHEPHERD:
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP."
"MY SHEEP HEAR MY
VOICE, AND I KNOW
THEM, AND THEY
FOLLOW ME: AND I
GIVE UNTO THEM
ETERNAL LIFE: AND
THEY SHALL NEVER
PERISH."