“Is He worthy?” The words of our songs of worship yesterday morning still resonate in the echo chambers of my soul today. “Worthy of worship, worthy of praise, worthy of honor and glory. Worthy of all the glad songs we can sing. Worthy of all of the offerings we bring.” What exactly is Jesus worth? For the people in Malachi’s day, God was not worthy of the best sacrifices, so they brought mangy sheep, broken-legged goats, and blind rams. The priests apparently went along with them, though the governor would not have accepted these animals to pay taxes to his government. God was worth less than the governor.
In Jesus’ last days before the crucifixion, a woman in Bethany anointed him with expensive oil. The disciples were incensed at this waste. To the woman, Jesus was worthy of her greatest family heirloom and gift. To the disciples (especially Judas), Jesus was just not worth that much. What was Jesus worth to Judas? Thirty. He sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Later he wanted to renege on the deal, but the deed was done.
What is Jesus worth to us today? His crucifixion and resurrection only enhance his great worth. The angels inform us in Revelation 5:12-13: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, wealth, and wisdom, strength and honor, glory and praise. Then I heard every voice in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor, glory and power forever and ever amen.’”
I suppose it is possible to know the price of everything and the value of nothing. What is Jesus worth to us? Is he worthy of the investment of the rest of our lives? If he is not, pray tell, what is? We give our souls away to so many lesser things. As I write at dusk on this Sunday evening, looking into the fourth quarter of my life, I want you to hear me say, “Jesus is worth it.” Worth what? Worth it all. Is He worthy? Oh yes! He is!
