The Holy Grail (or the most precious thing in the world)

I am a relatively recent ‘convert’ to Wordle, the popular online word puzzle in which one has to identify a 5-letter word in 6 attempts or less.  Some of you who enjoy the game may remember that a recent solution was the word “grail”.  It struck me as rather odd to see “grail” written on its own because, invariably, it is coupled with the word “holy”.
 
“Grail”, as many may know, is an ancient word and my research tells me its original meaning described a flat plate on which one might serve bread for example.  However, the “Holy Grail” has become recognised in biblical history as the actual chalice used by Jesus for the wine at the last supper.
 
Imagine what a find that would be if someone were to dig up an ancient cup and prove that it was the one that Jesus had used at the Last Supper with his disciples. What would the finder do with it?  Would they sell it for millions to the highest bidder? Would it be exhibited in a famous cathedral or museum? One might imagine there would be an enormous legal battle to establish who would be entitled to own such a unique, historic artefact? It would certainly be world news.
 
In medieval times, partly through the fictional stories of King Arthur, many people tried to find the Holy Grail, without success. Today the words “Holy Grail” are barely associated with Jesus but are perhaps more likely to appear in phrases relating to sporting competition like “Getting beyond the first round of a major tournament is the ‘Holy Grail’ for this team” or, “Landing on the moon was the ‘Holy Grail’ of space travel.”
 
It’s somewhat sad that the centrepiece of the Last Supper has quietly slipped out of the most holy and historic week in world history and is instead reduced to being part of an adventure story in movies such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.
The pursuit of the “Grail” is, of course, a lost cause, and maybe we ought to remind ourselves that the most sought-after treasure in the world is surely not an ancient cup but instead is the One who held out that very “grail” and said to his friends as they gathered around him, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you!” (Luke 22: 20)
 
If anyone desires to search for the most precious thing in the world, then that must surely be entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  And scripture makes clear that when we earnestly seek Christ, we will find him.  In Jeremiah 29:13 God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
 
As we continue to navigate our way through the many wide-ranging issues, concerns and challenges that come our way as individuals and as a church fellowship, let us continually and earnestly seek the heart and mind and will of God, putting our relationship with Jesus at the forefront of all we seek to achieve.  And may we open our hearts and demonstrate His unique and perfect love, care and kindness to all those who may join us on our journey, irrespective of their background or circumstances so that they too may find the true Holy Grail, that most precious, life-changing treasure of all time, Jesus Christ.
Ken Carter