Friday, August 9, 2013
Mark 8:36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
PRICELESS!
To love someone or something is to consider them a treasure, something for which one would even be willing to work. Remember Jacob and Rachel? After Jacob had worked for a month in Haran, his uncle Laban asked him what kind of wages he wanted. Jacob had fallen in love with Laban's younger daughter, Rachel, and he said he would be willing to work for Laban seven years in return for the privilege of marrying her. Laban agreed, "so Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her."
Of course, the greatest example of treasuring something is our gracious God, who gave up His one and only Son to death on the cross in order that you and I and the whole world might have eternal life. His Son Jesus "gained the whole world" at the cost of His very life. Behold how He loved us!
Now we love Him who first loved us, and He is to us such a treasure that every earthly treasure, so fleeting, is put in proper perspective. What the world values most, honor from others and material things, are as nothing compared to redemption through Jesus' blood, the forgiveness of sins, "in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:7-8).
Hence, all earthly treasure!
Jesus is my Pleasure,
Jesus is my Choice.
Hence, all empty glory!
Naught to me thy story
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,
Shall not from my Savior move me
Since He deigns to love me.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 347:4)
