In 1847, Sir James Simpson of Edinburgh discovered chloroform as an anesthetic in surgery. Som
e claim this to be the most significant discovery of modern medicine.
In his later years, Sir James was lecturing at Edinburgh University, and a student asked, “What do you consider to be the most valuable discovery of your lifetime?”
He answered quickly, “My most valuable discovery was when I discovered myself a sinner and that Jesus Christ was my Savior.”
This shows the difference between what the world would consider as the greatest discovery and what a Christian would consider the greatest discovery.
This reminds me of king Josiah in 2 Kings 22 when the Law of God was found and then read to the king. Upon hearing the word of God and its powerful message, he tore his clothes and began a great restoration campaign to get his people back to following the law of God.
This also reminds me of these two short parables:
Matt. 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 “who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Many people in this world have made the greatest discovery there is to be had, which is the Word of God. When it is found, they understand that it is more precious than any treasure on this earth because it reveals the words of God and teaches us how to be saved so we can spend eternity in heaven, where our true reward is. As Jesus said:
Matt. 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As Christians, we can certainly appreciate new discoveries, whether it be hidden treasures, old cities buried under the ground, new medicines that keep cancer and other diseases away, etc., but none of these things will ever compare to the discovery of God’s Word and the message it has for us all because it makes the difference of eternity in heaven or eternity in hell. So, every Christian should consider the Word of God and what it teaches us about Jesus and salvation to be the most significant discovery that we have had made. Nothing will ever exceed or match it.
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