It wasn't a journey across the vast Atlantic Ocean, but a journey of more than a thousand miles over desert sands that brought the greatest of all discoveries to a certain man. He was a man of great authority in charge of all the treasures of the Queen of Ethiopia. Obviously, he had discovered that his status in life did not at all satisfy the vital and pressing need of his heart. Could he possibly have heard that centuries before, the Queen of Sheba had her hard questions answered by going to Jerusalem to see Solomon concerning the name of Jehovah? It could well be. In any case, the journey was neither too great nor too risky to take in order to discover the answer to the need of his soul.

Undoubtedly, upon arrival, he went directly to the temple. Only cold, empty, formal religion that had recently rejected and crucified Jehovah the Saviour, the Lord Jesus, would he have discovered there. But God had His eye upon this seeker for Divine Light, and, in ways we are not told, saw to it that a copy of the Book of Isaiah was put into his hands. Apparently, (from the record in Acts 8:26-40), he started his return home immediately, and began to read the treasured volume.

Somewhere in the desert between Jerusalem and Gaza, imagine his delightful surprise as he was reading aloud to have a voice say, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" Philip, the evangelist, sent by God from a very fruitful work in Samaria to meet this one man, had arrived at the right time. The eunuch invited Philip up into the chariot, and asked if the prophet Isaiah in chapter 53, verses 7 and 8 was speaking of himself or of some other man. Imagine Philip's surprise and joy to have his text already chosen! From that same Scripture he began to preach unto him Jesus, the Lamb of God that was slain! How he must have tenderly, lovingly told him the story of the Lord Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection for this Ethiopian Eunuch!

Right there in the desert, this man made the greatest of all discoveries. He believed the message of the Gospel with all his heart, asked to identify himself in water baptism as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and went on his way rejoicing. The search had ended. He discovered the Lord Jesus as His Saviour. Life, joy, peace and eternal security were his now and forever in Christ!

Friend, have you made this most vital discovery as told in song below?

Mankind is searching every day
In quest of something new;
But I have found the "living way,"
The path of pleasures true.

   Refrain:
I've discovered the way of gladness,
I've discovered the way of joy,
I've discovered relief from sadness,
'Tis a happiness without alloy;
I've discovered the fount of blessing,
I've discovered the "Living Word":
'Twas the greatest of all discoveries
When I found Jesus my Lord.

I've found the Pearl of greatest price,
Eternal life so fair;
'Twas through the Saviour's sacrifice,
I found this jewel rare.

—F.W.H.