But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)
A couple of weeks ago, my family visited Washington D.C. We made the rounds of all the monuments and museums, along with every middle school in the eastern United States it seemed. Everywhere we went there were crowds, huge crowds, usually wearing matching t-shirts. Interestingly, the densest crowd by far, was in one particular exhibit hall in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – the Gem Gallery. Along each wall were glass cases housing jewelry that had once belonged to empresses and sultans, queens and financiers. In the center of the room, with its own guard was the 45.5 carat Hope Diamond.
I heard exclamations in a dozen languages as each person in the throng pushed forward for a few moments at the glass. It is consistently one of the most popular exhibits in the museum, and the gift shop has dozens of souvenirs adorned with the likeness of the famous gem.
Clearly, we are fascinated with the precious stones and with the idea that someone could possess such a treasure. That fascination with riches should whet our appetites for the day when God will reveal His unfathomable riches to us. Paul highlights things like God’s mercy and His grace and His kindness toward us. In that day, things like the Hope Diamond will be nothing more than a pebble in the foundation of the city Jesus is preparing for us. Let me say it again. Compared to the value of God’s grace and mercy, the $250 million dollar Hope Diamond will be no more valuable than a rock from your driveway.
I admit it’s difficult to grasp. We can see the diamond, after all. It has a dollar value attached to it. However, if the quarter billion dollar diamond is like gravel … Imagine a dump truck load. God’s grace and mercy far exceeds even that. Wow.
We can’t begin to comprehend what God has waiting for us, purchased by the blood of Christ, initiated by the amazing love of God.