For decades the world marvelled at a once crown jewel – the Hope Diamond – the dazzling, blue 45-carat gem with an estimated value of $250 million. Its last owner donated the historic treasure to the Smithsonian Museum as a “gift to the world.” Solitary, it sits encased by thick bullet proof glass. What hope does the rare stone bring to the people of the world? While it is grand in glory, it is untouchable; valuable but not priceless; a gift to the world but protected from the world. Locked up for safekeeping. But the “Gift to the world” is not on display, locked away under glass in a museum. The Gift to the world came in the form of a personal Saviour who paid for our freedom with His priceless life. – Billy Graham

Source: Billy Graham, The Reason For My Hope, page x and xii