I remember being a part of a group of students that visited a denominational church many years ago as part of a school assignment. We were to learn as much as we could about them from one of their leaders.

While taking a guided tour of their place of worship, we noticed that they had a communion table much like the ones with which we were familiar in the church. One difference, however, was that there was an ornamental looking cloth that was draped over the top of the table and hung down the sides. Our curiosity was peaked, so we asked about it.

The significance of the cloth was that it contained replicas of what were believed to be three bones from the body of the apostle Andrew. Mind you, they were not certain that the original bones were from the apostle, and these were not the actual bones in either case, but plastic replicas.

Years before this experience, by the good graces of Uncle Sam I got to spend some time in Italy, Rome in particular. There were shops that sold charms, said to be bits of the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified. I did not buy any of them, however, among my possessions used to be a plastic packet of “authentic holy anointing oil” from the “holy land” that someone had sent me in the mail. And of course, who hasn’t heard legends of the search for the “holy grail“, supposedly the cup Jesus used at the last Passover supper He ate with His apostles? Oh yes, what of the “shroud of Turin”, touted as the very burial garment of Jesus? Why did neither Jesus nor His apostles place any significance whatsoever on the existence, possession or use of them? Why did they not lead us to go on pilgrimages to Bethlehem, Nazereth, Bethany, or Jerusalem?

Even the book we call the Bible, is “holy” or “sanctified” among all other books solely because it is in fact the word of God. There is no special instruction for its handling or use other than that it is to be read, practiced and preached to all the world.

But therein is the true power. Jesus said that the Spirit gave life and that His words were in fact Spirit and life, John 6:63. Speaking of this same Spirit and the preaching of Jesus, the apostle Paul described the effect of this life transforming power: But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2nd Corinthians 3:18

Jesus did not leave us artifacts to be revered. Rather, He left us His life-changing word to be understood and followed. In this word, and it alone, is there the power to bring us into the presence of God.