The diamond is a rare gem of beauty both on the earth and in the Bible, but when found, it proves to be of great value. It was the sixth stone in the breastplate worn by the High Priest in Israel, and is the first foundation of the wall of the future holy city, New Jerusalem. Though the word jasper is used in Revelation 21:11,18,19, its description, "clear as crystal," is believed by scholars to refer to the diamond. This is different than the opaque, colored stones of the Old Testament referred to by that name.

One would never know by just looking at a diamond that it is really crystallized carbon which we find in its pure form as graphite, as in the black lead of our pencils. It is the only gem consisting of one single element—carbon—and is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man. Its hardness has produced the slogan "Diamonds are forever," which also suggests some spiritual truths and blessings symbolized by the diamond.

What a tremendous change takes place to turn carbon from a soft black substance known as graphite into the fiery brilliant diamond which is the world's favorite jewel! The lowest form of the element carbon, which naturally speaks of sin and evil is transformed by tremendous pressure and heat into a diamond, the symbol of divine glory.

Marvelous, indeed, to see the display of God's matchless grace as black dust becomes brilliant light, graphite becomes diamond. Is this not a true picture of a sinner, defiled and unclean, whom God cleanses and makes into a new creature in Christ Jesus?

Great heat and pressure was brought upon the Son of man, the Lord Jesus Christ, when He was made "sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). All the weight of the sin of the world was placed upon Him. All the fiery wrath of God was poured out upon Him. Then after three hours of being forsaken by God, he cried, "It is finished" and bowed His head and died. On the third day, according to the Scripture, He was raised from the dead in a glorified body as head of new creation. All this is in God's plan of salvation for sinful man.

When one puts his trust in the Lord Jesus and sees himself judged at Calvary in the judgment Christ bore on the sinner's behalf, he becomes washed in that precious blood and made clean. Eternal life is given to whosoever believeth in Him. God sees the believer in His glorified Son and thus accepts him in all the beauty and perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him" (1 John 3:2). Blessed be God! We shall be completely "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). Soon He is coming again to take His jewels (Malachi 3:17) to be with Himself in heaven forever.

Friend, which form of carbon are you? Are you still black and unclean with your sins unconfessed and unforgiven? Or are you cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7), transformed into a diamond reflecting the glory of God?