First Baptist Church

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How Much Do You Value Jesus?

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I often hear Christians say that they do not need to study the Old Testament because that was the old covenant, and we are under the new covenant sealed by the blood of Christ. Romans 15:4 tells us,

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

This morning, I read a great example of this truth. In Leviticus 27:3, God told the people through Moses,

“If your valuation is of the male from twenty years even to sixty years old, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.” As I read that passage, something sparked in my memory and heart. I remembered that Matthew 26:14-15 tell us,

“Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?’ And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him.”

So, the Old Testament tells us that the value of a male of Jesus’ age was fifty shekels of silver, while the religious leaders of Jesus’ day only valued Him at thirty. That sparked another memory. In Exodus 21:32, the Law says, “If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall give his or her master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.”

So, Jesus was considered only as valuable as a slave. Isn’t that interesting! Of course, that sparked another memory. Those same leaders once told Jesus in John 2:18, The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these hings?”

So, the Jews refers to the leaders of the Jews. These were the very ones that paid Judas the thirty pieces of silver for him to betray Jesus. The problem was that they wanted Jesus to serve their ends, but He refused. They wanted a Messiah that would serve them and exalt them, and He came as a Servant that came for everyone. He came as God the Son. They wanted a slave. They valued Him only as much as He could serve them. Since, He refused to do so, they wanted Him gone.

As I put these pieces together, I am challenged to ask, “How much do I value Jesus?” The good Sunday School answer is that I value Him above all. How do I know if this is really true in my life or just the answer I know I should give?

When faced with the choice between sin and my Savior, which one wins? When I have to choose between worshipping Him or simply trying to get His blessings, which one wins? If I look at my checkbook, how much to I value Him? More than my transportation, housing, clothing, or food? When I look at my calendar? When I look at my Facebook? Reading the Old Testament has been helpful and convicting for me today. How about you?