A missionary who worked with Underground Evangelism told a story about a believer in Russia before the collapse of communism. Learning that a friend had acquired a Bible, he asked to borrow it. His friend, however, read the precious Book every evening until 10 p.m. So each night for 8 months, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., that dedicated believer laboriously copied his friend’s Bible. Eventually, when some fellow Christians visited him with Bibles, he exchanged his handwritten labor of love for several copies.

Imagine not having access to a copy of the Bible. What price would you pay to get one? Let’s take this question to a deeper level.

When Jesus’ teachings began to “offend” those who were following Him, many chose to leave (John 6:60-66). So He asked His disciples, “Do you also want to go away?” (v.67). Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (v.68). Peter knew that Jesus was the living Word—God revealed in the flesh. He was willing to forsake everything in this life to pursue the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Do we have Peter’s commitment? Do we have the devotion of that Russian believer? What price would we pay for the Book? For our Lord?  — Vernon C. Grounds