A young Jewish Rabbi was visiting a friend who was an atheist. This young man prided himself on being broad-minded, and filled his bookshelves with a mixture of writings to prove it. On the shelves he even had a small copy of the Bible, which attracted his friend’s attention.
“What is this?” the Rabbi asked, picking up the volume.
“Oh, that is the Christian’s book,” came the answer in disparaging tones. “Don’t trouble yourself with it.”
But the young man had already glanced at the Book, and had seen the opening words of the gospel by Matthew: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
Those few words had made the despised book interesting. What! Jesus Christ, a son of David and a son of Abraham? As his friend noticed him still regarding it thoughtfully, he repeated: “It is the Christian’s book, and of no account.”
“But I should like very much to read it,” replied the Rabbi.
“Very well, then,” said the unbeliever with a mocking smile; “take it. I give it to you as a present.”
Not to be discouraged by the remarks of his friend, the Rabbi put the scorned book in his pocket and went home. There, in a quiet place where he would not be disturbed by anyone, he devoted himself to the study of the remarkable Book.
“Here,” he said, “is absolute certainty. The despised, crucified Jesus of Nazareth is none other than our promised Messiah!”
When he again read the New Testament from beginning to end, it became clear to him that not only did he, in his heart, believe in this Christ, but that he must confess Him with his mouth. He did not hesitate to do so. He went to his friends and announced to them that the rejected Nazarene was indeed the Saviour whom Jehovah had promised to His people in the Holy Scriptures.
Great blessing has resulted from that little Book, which was considered “of no account” by the atheist. Hundreds have thereby heard the glad tidings of Jesus, the Saviour for Jews and Gentiles, and many of them have departed this life with the precious name of Jesus on their lips.
God has said in His Holy Word: So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:1111So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11).)