Seeing The Value

TITLE: Seeing the Value
DATE:  August 4, 2019
TEXT: Psalm 118:22 – ESV - The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Anyone who has watched Antique’s Road Show has been impressed... impressed by how valuable some clunky things are and equally impressed at how valueless some classy things are. It takes an expert to see, and explain, the true value of things.
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Of course there are times when an item can go up or down in value.

Possibly you have heard  about the lady who, as the Titanic was sinking, raced to her stateroom. She pushed aside her diamonds and furs to grab three small oranges. One-half hour earlier, she would not have chosen a crate of oranges over even the poorest of her diamonds.

But, as death loomed, priceless things had become worthless and worthless things were priceless.

That is a familiar story, but you may not have heard of the gem dealer who was recently strolling the aisles at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

He spotted a blue-violet stone the size and shape of a potato. Then, as calmly as possible, he asked the vendor, "Are you sure you want $15 for this?"

The seller, knowing the rock wasn't as pretty as others in the bin, immediately lowered the price to $10. The dealer took the offer and ended up with a 1,905-carat natural star sapphire It  has been appraised at $2.28 million. No, things can end up being more valuable than you first thought.

That was certainly true for Jesus as He walked this world.

His home town reduced Him to being, “the carpenter’s Son.” The Pharisees tried to label Him as a Deceiver, and Someone possessed by the devil. Pilate considered Jesus to be a mere Man, albeit an innocent One.
Today scholars, and the pseudo-smart, would pigeonhole Jesus into the lesser position of being a wonderful Teacher, an excellent Moralist, a social Activist, and a Philosopher.

Yet, to those who see the sacrificing Savior with the eyes of faith, Jesus is far more than this. He is their Savior, the Capstone of their faith and hope. He is the One Who has taken our place under the law and shown that eternal life in paradise is not just a possibility, but a reality.

The Stone this world continues to reject, has a new value, a higher value, to His people. Jesus has become both Capstone and Foundation to all who believe.

So, if Jesus were to ever ask if I value Him, I will say, “Dear Lord, I am not a stonemason, and I know little about capstones, but as a sinner I value You most deeply."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, some things lose value, others things gain. You are a Constant in my life. Always there. Always faithful. Always saving and always precious beyond comprehension. Allow me to value Your sacrifice. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.
 
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html