We visited a museum a few years ago where we saw a rare and beautiful diamond. Sixteen smaller diamonds in a platinum setting surrounded this large, dark-blue gem. It was locked in a rotating case behind three-inch-thick, bulletproof glass. A uniformed guard stood nearby, while crowds of people took turns viewing the treasure.
Precious jewels, like this beautiful diamond, are measured in carats. A carat is a unit of weight equal to two hundred milligrams. We learned that this precious gem weighed 45-1/2 carats. It was named the Hope Diamond and was donated to the Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., in 1958. Like most famous jewels, it has an interesting history.
Sometime in the mid-1600s, a huge blue diamond that weighed over one hundred carats was dug out of a mine in India. It was extremely valuable because of its unusual color and large size. (Most diamonds we see in jewelry today weigh one carat or less.) This gem was taken to France and sold to the king, who had it cut down to 67 carats and set in gold. French royalty wore it until 1792 when it was stolen, along with other crown jewels, during the French Revolution.
The history of this diamond, referred to as the French Blue, is unknown for the next twenty years. Experts now think it was taken to England and recut to disguise the fact that it was stolen property. In any case, a diamond of the same color as the French Blue, but smaller, reappeared in London in 1812. It was in the collection of a diamond merchant who then sold it to Henry P. Hope, the rich banker from whom the jewel gets its name.
Over the next hundred years, this rare gem was either passed on to heirs or sold to pay off debts. Over time a story grew that bad things happened to all who owned the Hope Diamond. The story wasn’t true, but neither did the diamond bring anyone lasting happiness or a peaceful life.
People often ask, “What is the Hope Diamond worth?” One source says that, although it has an estimated value of at least $300 million, it is really priceless, because there is no other diamond like it.
And because God has made you a unique person, you are priceless—no money value can be put on your soul. You are an original and infinitely more valuable than even the Hope Diamond! We are told in God’s Word that no one “can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him” (Psalm 49:77None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (Psalm 49:7)). There is not enough money in this entire world to buy either your own salvation or your brother’s.
In the Bible, Jesus tells a story about a man that found a treasure hid in a field. He wanted it very much, so he joyfully sold everything he had to buy that field. This story Jesus told was a parable about Himself. He was the One who wanted to buy the field, which is the whole world. He saw treasure there, sinners like you and me! Do you know what it cost Him to buy the field? It was not a small price; He gave His life and shed His blood to purchase our salvation. “The Son of God ... loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)).
Jesus willingly spent all that He had—His very life—to be able to save sinners. He returned to heaven after rising from the dead, but not before promising to come back soon to take all to heaven who have repented and believed that He died for their sins. He says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)).
Have you believed that He paid the full price for your sins? If so, just like a sparkling diamond reflects the light, you can spread the light of the gospel in this dark world. Believers are reminded that “ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:2020For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)). One day soon you will shine as one of His jewels in His crown. “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels” (Malachi 3:1717And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:17)). Let’s shine for Him today!
ML-05/24/2009