October 14, 2014
What is it worth? The bottom line with nearly everything is the issue of value. There are general standards as to fair prices for groceries, automobiles, houses, utilities, and wages, to name a few. A more challenging question is this: what is God’s Son worth to you?
An ancient prophecy concerning a shepherd and a flock is recorded by Zechariah the prophet:
“I said to them, ‘If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!' So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.’ So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11.12-13)
Those familiar with the events in the life of Jesus will recognize the thirty pieces of silver as the price of betrayal by Judas, and what became of the money afterwards. Sarcasm is evident in this prophecy: “that magnificent price” was a great insult in that this was the common price for the purchase of a slave in that culture at that time. By extension, the point in this prophecy is that God’s Son, the Good Shepherd, would only be valued as much as a common slave.
What is He worth to you? It’s easy enough to offer a lip-service answer, but the real proof is in the action of our discipleship. What does love and devotion move me to be and do? Is the price I offer a couple of hours on Sunday, and maybe an hour or two in attendance at another service or group? Is it evidenced through the discipline of prayer and Bible study? Time with other believers encouraging and strengthening them? Deliberate efforts to share the good news with lost friends, family members, and neighbors? Real service to those in need?
The price offered and paid is the bottom line as to value. It’s a fair question for each of us to ask, in light of this account foretelling the price of betrayal, just what is the value of the Good Shepherd to me? May we honestly grapple today with this important question.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
An ancient prophecy concerning a shepherd and a flock is recorded by Zechariah the prophet:
“I said to them, ‘If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!' So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.’ So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (Zechariah 11.12-13)
Those familiar with the events in the life of Jesus will recognize the thirty pieces of silver as the price of betrayal by Judas, and what became of the money afterwards. Sarcasm is evident in this prophecy: “that magnificent price” was a great insult in that this was the common price for the purchase of a slave in that culture at that time. By extension, the point in this prophecy is that God’s Son, the Good Shepherd, would only be valued as much as a common slave.
What is He worth to you? It’s easy enough to offer a lip-service answer, but the real proof is in the action of our discipleship. What does love and devotion move me to be and do? Is the price I offer a couple of hours on Sunday, and maybe an hour or two in attendance at another service or group? Is it evidenced through the discipline of prayer and Bible study? Time with other believers encouraging and strengthening them? Deliberate efforts to share the good news with lost friends, family members, and neighbors? Real service to those in need?
The price offered and paid is the bottom line as to value. It’s a fair question for each of us to ask, in light of this account foretelling the price of betrayal, just what is the value of the Good Shepherd to me? May we honestly grapple today with this important question.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:31 AM
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