What Price For The Book?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedThe story is told of a Russian Christian living under the communist regime, who learned that a friend had acquired a Bible. Since he didn’t own one, he asked his friend if he could borrow it.
His friend told him that he read his Bible every evening until 10 p.m. So each night for 8 months, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., that dedicated Christian laboriously copied his friend’s Bible.
Eventually, when some fellow Christians visited him with Bibles, he exchanged his handwritten copy for several of their Bibles.
In the United States, can we even imagine not having access to a copy of the Bible? If we found ourselves in the same situation as the above Christian, what price would we pay to acquire one? Let’s take this question to an even deeper level.
When Jesus’ teachings began to “offend” those who were following Him, many chose to leave (John 6:60-66). So He asked His disciples, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67). Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
Peter knew that Jesus was the living Word — God revealed in the flesh. He was willing to forsake everything in this life to pursue the Lord who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
In following the Lord, do we have Peter’s commitment? Do we have a similar devotion as that of the Russian Christian? What price would we pay for the Book? (cf. Psalm 1:1-2). What price will we pay to follow our Lord? (cf. Matthew 16:24).
How precious is the Book divine,
By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its precepts shine,
To guide my soul to heaven.
Holy Book divine!
Precious treasure mine!
Lamp to my feet and a light to my way
To guide me safely home. —L.O. Sanderson