Buried With A Bible

Buried With A Bible                                                    February 11, 2024

Years ago, when the tomb of Constantine was discovered, archaeologists found his remains situated in a most unusual manner.  Apparently, he had been positioned sitting on his throne with a crown on his head, a scepter in his right hand, and a Bible on his lap.  What they discovered was that his crown had fallen from its place, his scepter from its bony clasp, but, the Bible was still in his lap opened to Matthew 16:26: “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

God’s word deserves our utmost respect and devotion.  David prayed, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalms 119:11).  Jeremiah spoke of a time when God’s people would have His teachings written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33).  When God’s word is written on our hearts, His teaching will be put into practice into our lives.  Only an open Bible can accomplish this purpose.  What good is owning a genuine, hand-sewn leather edition of the Bible if it is never opened and read?  Many Bibles, opened on Sundays, are unused the rest of the week.  They might as well be left on the pew until the next Sunday.  Too many have buried their Bible in a grave of misplaced priorities.  One day, when their tomb is uncovered, their beautiful, seldom used Bibles might as well be opened to Matthew 7:23: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

It will be too late to open the Bible when we have been laid to rest.  Hebrews 9:27 reminds us “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment…”  Diligent study and faithful application of God’s word in this are necessary for His approval in the next (II Timothy 2:15; James 1:25).  It may be a fitting gesture for a faithful Christian to be buried with his Bible; but the thing which first be buried is the old man of complacency and neglect.  That must happen is this life as we open our hearts to the power of God’s word, remembering that it is not a Bible enclosed in our coffin, but a transformed life that reminds others that our hope was grounded in Jesus and His word.

By Glen Elliott