How do we determine value? Most often it is by the price paid for something. Of course there is intrinsic value that can not be measured by the price paid but by what something or someone means to us in sentimental or utilitarian way. I was pondering statements made by Jesus recorded in Mathew 13 and was stricken by a deep and meaningful insight that I wish to share with you.
Jesus teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven says,
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matt13:45-46
Most of my Christian journey I understood this verse to highlight the worth of seeking God’s Kingdom as defined by Jesus. However, today I perceived these words from a different perspective. Instead of my pursuit of God I saw His pursuit of me. I understood that He valued me and all the rest of humanity so greatly that He sold all HE had to buy us.
You see redemption is to buy someone back that was sold into slavery or is indebted to another. God redeemed mankind from the slavery of sin and its consequence eternal death with His own life. Apostle Paul writes,
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil 2:5-8
Uncreated Life, Jesus, in all His glory, valued humanity so highly that HE was willing to lay down His estate in the divine realm. By personal choice He humbled Himself to become man. He then lived a life like you or I; subject to all the influences of this world and the unseen world and yet did not sin. Then in this guiltless state HE took upon Himself the price for all sin, death. Not just the sins of a few but of all for all time.
When I consider that God saw me as a pearl of great price, that from His lofty realm of majesty on high, sought to buy me out of slavery, I am awe struck. He did not do it with gold and silver but with His own flesh and blood. What a price was paid, what value bestowed, what awesome worth transmitted to me by the King of Kings! My worth and value is not determined by who I am or what I have done or ever will do. My value and worth as well as the value of all mankind is PRICELESS!
Loving LIFE means loving that which LIFE loves! I am loved today and so are you. I pray that you will have encounter with the Divine Treasure Hunter who will seek you, then upon discovering you sell all He has to buy your freedom. Say “yes” when He comes to claim you as His prize!
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