We often look at the things of this life based on their value. People have emotional value for us. Jobs have a value of status. And material things have both a monetary and status value. We think, the more costly an item, the more it says about our status and success. Even Jesus had/has a value. To Judas, he was worth 30 pieces of silver. “And said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15. However, if we ponder that for a moment and think about our relationship with Jesus… what is the value?
Value is incredibly integral in our decision making processes. This life is too short to do things that are of no value to us. So, we pour ourselves into relationships that we value. The lives of our husbands, children, family, and friends are all of emotional value, so we invest in them. Co-workers and our superiors may have value in terms of career advancement or status. So, we may also pour ourselves into those relationships. Unfortunately where people are concerned, if they do not meet our needs emotionally or in terms of status, we ask, “What is the value?” Those people are typically cut out of our lives if we deem that there is no benefit for us.
Prior to knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, He seemed to have no value to me. I honestly felt that I was destined for Hell and that there was no hope for forgiveness. So, where Jesus was concerned, I felt, “What is the value?” I thought, “It is what it is. I know where I am going, so why even bother trying to learn about Him.” Then I found out how wrong I was.
It seems as though even a disciple of Jesus may have had similar feelings though. Judas, Jesus’s disciple, sought out the chief priests to see what they would pay him to betray and turn Jesus over to them. He was willing to betray Jesus for whatever they would pay him. “Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:14-15. Because, he failed to recognize how valuable Jesus was to him and to all mankind, Judas betrayed Jesus (the Savior of the world) for 30 pieces of silver!
As Jesus’ crucifixion began to unfold, Judas became remorseful. It is important to note that he was not repentant, but remorseful. And this resulted in him taking his own life. If Judas had been asked of Jesus’s life, “what is the value”, he would have said 30 pieces of silver. That amount did not bring satisfaction to Judas however. Instead, it brought regret and suicide. The things that we typically see as valuable, apart from Jesus, do not satisfy either.
We, like Judas, will devalue precious things. We will devalue life itself. And we will even devalue our Savior… when we measure by the world’s standards. But the things that this world says are of value are temporary and meaningless. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,” Matthew 6:19.
When asking, “What is the value?”, we have to look at each thing separately. What is the value of a peace that passes all understanding? What is the value of freedom? And, what is the value of forgiveness? What is the value of a comforter and a redeemer? The answer is, “priceless”.
Jesus is all of these things! “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3. And He is priceless!
The things of real value are those things that are done with and for God. Those things are only possible when we repent of our sins and ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives. They are things of eternal value. “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20.
Our Heavenly Father looked at us and asked, “what is the value?” He determined that the value of an eternal relationship with us was the precious life of His Son.
Our Jesus, when facing His impending betrayal and persecution, asked “What is the value?” He determined that an eternal relationship with us was worth His own precious life. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors. but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19.
So, what is the value? That depends on what we are valuing?
If we are valuing the things of this world. They are temporary and futile and of very little value apart from Jesus.
If valuing a relationship with our Savior, it is priceless and eternal.
Father God, we praise and thank You that You saw any value in us at all. And, we praise and thank You that You desired a relationship with us enough to make a way. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. So, forgive us for our arrogance, Father. Lord, we are nothing without You. We praise and thank You for Your sacrifice and love. Help us to value our relationship with You above all else and to strive to love our neighbors as ourselves.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please pray the prayer found on our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Our Heavenly Father adores you. He has gone to great lengths to enable the forgiveness of your sins so that you could then have a relationship with Him. He wants to spend eternity with you. Please pray this prayer and, once you have, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I would love to be a help to you in your walk with Jesus.
Luv Ya!
