“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17
I read a devotion recently that was written by Pastor Ken Klaus who writes devotions for the Lutheran Hour. The subject of the devotion was the value of a life. A Korean woman’s brother had been killed in the Korean War which took place during 1950-1953 and her family had received a financial compensation for the sacrifice that he made which amounted to $4.33 in U.S. currency.
Pastor Klaus went on to discuss the value of life and my mind immediately thought about how many children in Haiti could be fed for $4.33 and Trinity/HOPE could probably provide a meal for seventeen children. This class attending the Lutheran school in Ouanaminthe could receive a meal for $4.33 on the day this photo was taken.
Looking closer into their eyes, what price would you imagine could be placed on their lives? Would you consider the value of their life to be the same as that of your child, grandchild or even your life? Consider that the value of their lives was so precious that God gave the life of His only Son for their lives and for you and me. The $4.33 compensation is this world’s value for a life and there is no price that can be placed on the life of Jesus Christ who gave His life for us. Without Him, these children in Ouanaminthe and all of His children would be destined for an eternity in Hell for our sinfulness. Christ is a priceless treasure to us and likewise we are to Him as we daily go about our lives to serve Him. Johann Franck wrote the words to the hymn ‘Jesus, Priceless Treasure’ in 1655 and they seemed like an appropriate way to close this devotion.
“Jesus, priceless Treasure, fount of purest pleasure, truest Friend to me. Ah, how long in anguish shall my spirit languish, yearning, Lord, for Thee? Thou art mine, O Lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee, naught I ask beside Thee. In Thine arms I rest me; foes who would molest me cannot reach me here. Though the earth be shaking, every heart be quaking, Jesus calms my fear. Lightnings flash and thunders crash; yet, though sin and hell assail me, Jesus will not fail me. Satan, I defy thee; death, I now decry thee; fear, I bid thee cease. World, thou shalt not harm me nor thy threats alarm me while I sing of peace. God's great power Guards every hour; earth and all its depths adore Him, silent bow before Him. 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. Evil world, I leave thee; thou canst not deceive me, Thine appeal is vain. Sin that once did blind me, get thee far behind me, come not forth again. Past thy hour, O pride and power; sinful life, thy bonds I sever, leave thee now forever. Hence, all fear and sadness! For the Lord of gladness, Jesus, enters in. those who love the Father, though the storms may gather, still have peace within. Yea, whate'er I here must bear, Thou art still my purest pleasure, Jesus, priceless Treasure!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay