SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:13-25
How much am I worth?
If the world had to choose between me and someone else, who would they choose?
Me or the Queen, me or Pope Francis, me or Oprah Winfrey…
If it was up to the masses, I know who would be worth more.
But what if it was me or a terrorist or a rapist or a murderer?
Jesus was set alongside a murderous revolutionary, and was not considered worth it.
It’s sad to say our world has a very distorted value system.
Every day unborn children are discarded as less valuable, not worth living.
But how about God, how much am I worth to God.
If God had to choose between me and someone else, Who would God choose.
God sets us ALL up, and places us alongside of His much-loved son.
God chooses us, and allows Jesus to die for us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It is because God values us, and considers us worth it, that Jesus dies.
Like Barabbas, we go free because of Jesus.
I am a sinner, I am weak, I have failed, I have messed up, but I am still God’s much-loved child.
Let this thought encourage you today as you consider how much you are worth to God!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are worthy. This makes Your sacrifice even more amazing. You lived, suffered and died because in Your mind, I am worth it! Thank You!
Observation/Application
The exchange.
The leaders could find no fault in Him and no basis for any charge to be laid. The lamb without blemish who was slain for our sins.
The sinless one was exchanged for the sinful one – Christ became the scapegoat for Barabbas – we the people – the angry mob.
Jesus is my substitute, my sinless Saviour suffered instead of me and because of that I am free.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.