DAY 23

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

MATT CIARMITARO, YOUTH PASTOR

Consider this sentence: You were made to be led by your Creator, not your cravings.

This simply means that who we follow is more important than what we want. In other words, God may lead us in a direction that is contrary to our desires. What then? Do we still follow Christ if His leadership clashes with our goals, dreams, habits, or lifestyle?

I guess it depends on what you think about the leader. It depends on whether you truly value Him or not. It’s easier to follow a leader whom you value, respect, and admire. There are leaders in my life I would be willing to sacrifice for, because of the relationship we have together. I have built trust, believed in their vision, and in many ways benefitted from their leadership in my life. Whether out of genuine agreement or a sense of obligation, I would be willing to sacrifice to follow them. I hope you have people like this in your life as well.

When it comes to Jesus, where do you stand? As for me, I want to trust and value Jesus so much that I unquestionably follow Him no matter what.

As I have studied the scriptures, I have become fascinated with the language Paul uses to describe Jesus as he writes to the churches. In the book of Ephesians, Paul constantly talks about Jesus with the most grandiose and valuing language imaginable. Take a look.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. —Ephesians 1:7

You were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance... —Ephesians 1:13–14

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people... —Ephesians 1:18

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 2:6–7

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ... —Ephesians 3:8

I pray out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. —Ephesians 3:16

Did you catch that? Glorious inheritance... Incomparable riches... Boundless riches...

I don’t think these are coincidences or literary tools. This is the way Paul views Jesus. If you viewed God like that, wouldn’t you follow Him no matter what!? The attitude that Paul has is the same one that Jesus talks to us about in the parable of the field.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. —Matthew 13:44

When something holds the highest value in your life, the cost is inconsequential. It should be our absolute and complete joy to give our lives to God. And instead of thinking we are doing Him a favor, we should look to the “boundless riches” that we receive in return.

My challenge to you today is to begin to develop a deeper value for who Jesus is. Does his grace and mercy still blow you away? Even in these moments, are you still awe-struck that you have an audience with the creator of the Universe?

PRAYER

Jesus, may my attitude, my language, my energy, and my efforts reflect a testimony that has discovered You as the most worthy treasure there is. May my affection for You increase. Will my longing for You come from an appropriate understanding of Your matchless worth? May my heart dwell on Your goodness and appreciate all that You have given me. May my heart radiate with joy knowing that in You I have everything I need. Give me a Spirit of contentment. Like Paul, may “I count everything”!!!