When we lived in Tucson, AZ we loved going to the biggest gem and mineral show on earth. There are thousands of vendors and countless items of jewelry, rocks, fossils, meteorites, bling, and other artifacts. People from all over the world bring all sorts of wares hoping other people will enjoy the goods, buy them, and then take them to new homes.
I especially find it fascinating to talk with individual vendors and get a feeling about their love of gems and their adventures in discovering specific finds. There is something exciting about bringing an ages-old gem out of the ground and revealing the work of its Creator to the world.
There is also another kind of gem collecting activity going on right now at the New Church of Boston. Everyone here is working with treasures from the Word. Individually and collectively, we are mining precious items the Lord has formed long ago. They have lain hidden in the rich stories of ancient people. With special tools for digging into the spiritual sense of the Old and New Testaments, we are in the effort to discover gems that enrich our understanding of the Lord’s presence with us. And it is up to us to bring them into our unique setting so they shine as a reminder of the covenant we have with the Lord.
The Word speaks of these gems:
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! (Psalm 36:7)
I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. (Psalm 119:162)
There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. (Proverbs 20:15)
I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. The One sitting on it was called faithful and true. On his head were many gems. (Revelation 19:11-12) In the spiritual sense, the gems on his head mean the divine truths of the Word that come from the Lord. (True Christianity 196)
As we study the New Testament Book of Revelation in our upcoming Sunday services, I’m so glad we can continue to mine the gems the Lord has provided through its internal meaning. And what a treat it is to share our findings with the world!
With lots of love and respect, Nathan
I am fascinated by precious gems. And what a wonderful symbol they are of the precious truths the Lord provides in the Word. Here are a few thoughts for reflection.