Around it went again, from hand to hand. Each person took what food they wanted. The pink porcelain plate migrated around the table at the Carlisle’s home week after week for who-knows-how-many times.
The plate was strikingly pretty, with a central medallion of flowers and decorated with other blossoms. Thankfully nobody ever dropped it as it circled the table. The plate is worth millions!
Of course, the Carlisles would never have revealed that secret. Not because they were modest, but because they had no clue what it was worth.
You see, it was a hand-me-down that Grandma brought back from China on one of her trips. Although the secret “treasure” passed under the noses of children and grandchildren for a century, nobody suspected its value until an art expert saw it and had it appraised.
Surprise! Your fourteenth century Ming dynasty plate is worth maybe $2,000,000 ... maybe more. At the auction, in 2004, the British art dealer handed over $6,000,000 for it. The plate doesn’t get passed around the table anymore.
It is interesting to find a story like this about a treasure that simply sat under the undiscerning eyes of unsuspecting people. It does happen.
A similar story could be told about the Bible. It is that unappreciated kind of treasure. Somebody has said, “It gives help for the soul, harmony for the life, happiness for the heart and hope for the future.” Could you put a price on those treasures? “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:1616How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)).
And maybe that holy Book is sitting unopened not far from you under papers and junk. Dust it off; give it a read. Start in the Gospel of Mark. That part was written for beginners. It will acquaint you with the coming of Jesus Christ and His wonderful actions. Enjoy.
It is a treasury — of stories, truth and reassurance.
It is indestructible — it has withstood the calculated assaults of cynics.
It is truthful — it comes from a God who cannot lie.
It is living — read Mark 1; see what I mean.
Don’t understand it? Read it again, just as you would an exam question or a recipe. And really, you don’t have to understand everything to get the drift. You can get that easily enough without all the details. If you don’t understand it, pray that God will help you to understand. It is His book, and He Himself can help you get out of it the most wonderful treasure you will ever have.
Let its words challenge your prejudices, opinions and superstitions. Through it you can get to know the Author who gave us this treasure that has been, for too long, resting “just under your nose.”