What is Jesus worth to you?

Matthew 26:6-16

What is Jesus worth to you?

Some may immediately respond, “He’s worth everything!” Others may wonder why they have never much considered that question.  Perhaps today is the day to honestly consider that question.  Perhaps this week, as Good Friday and Easter approach, is just the right time.

A sequence of events in Matthew 26 shows how two people answered this question by their actions.  First, we see a woman demonstrating that she believed that Jesus was worth everything.  “A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.” (Matthew 26:7)

John identifies this woman as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  John also tells us that not only was this perfume expensive, but its worth was estimated at a year’s wages.  This may have been all the wealth that Mary had.  And she poured it out on Jesus’ head.

The disciples by contrast were indignant, Matthew tells us, at the apparent wastefulness of this act.  This money could have been given to the poor, they argued.  Jesus rebuked them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.  When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:10-13)

The disciples were truly not so much concerned for the poor.  They were concerned for themselves.  Judas proves this point in his very next act, “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.  From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

Mary gave likely all that she had in a generous act of love to honor Jesus.  Judas betrayed Jesus for a sum that at that time was known to be the price of a common slave.  This betrayal set in motion the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion where Jesus amazingly offers forgiveness and salvation to everyone – even those who put Him there – who will put their faith in Him.

Jesus is worth everything.