Scripture: Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks will find; knock
and the door will be opened to you.” Lk. 11:10“, NIV The Pastor
read us a passage from The Gospel of John at Bible study and
asked if anything “leaped out” at us. I couldn’t claim any leaping thoughts
on this occasion. I have read it many times, so no surprises
or new thoughts here. Not that the passage wasn’t important, or
had no revelations for the Christian reading it. Could have been! But
not this time.
It does point out, however, that not every exploration
is new and startling. We do not always go from an ‘up’ to an ‘upper-up’!
Anyone who seeks will eventually find, but not every time. At least not
gems undiscovered before.
Remember the fairy tale of the princess and the frog?
When the princess finally overcame her repugnance at (Yech!) kissing a green
amphibian, the frog turned into a handsome prince. But not every frog.
Just this frog, who was originally a prince until crossing the path of the
wrong witch. And just for this fairy tale. Consider the tee shirt emblazoned
with the the motto, “You’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.”
Point is, we never know what to expect, or what we
will find, unless we seek.
So . . . do we stop reading scripture because
we read a few verses, and nothing leaps out or envelops us in rapture?
Not at all!
Consider the many times Jesus advised seeking and asking
until we come upon that “pearl of great price.” Or knocking until the door
of knowledge and understanding opens for us.
Archeologists are special seekers. They are looking
for “old stuff.” Things people have left behind. And not just large items,
either. Little things, like pieces of broken pottery, coins, nails and belt
buckles. And the very appearance of the dirt itself. No back-hoes here! They
go at it with spoons and even brushes, purposefully, cautiously, lest the
slightest clue be destroyed. A change in the color of dirt can indicate where
a wall, post or previous construction once existed. Pottery and coins can
be used to date the site very precisely. Each bit of dirt is sifted to find
even the smallest item. To you and me, that’s a lot of dirt and -
trash. To the experienced archeologist, every tiny bit is worthy of rejoicing.
The pearl of great price. The frog-to-prince. The “leaping out” of new knowledge.
But not every spoonful. Not every time. Sometimes one
person sees things where another does not. A different angle, though, may
bring a totally new viewpoint.
Become a Biblical Archeologist! Seek, ask, knock.
Who knows when you will uncover a “Prince” of knowledge and understanding
of God’s word for us.
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