Devotional Thought

It is important to measure the worth of our relationship with Jesus constantly to avoid the error of devaluing its worth unconsciously. We saw yesterday how Mary demonstrated extravagant worship, by pouring costly oil on Jesus’ head, and how the disciples were enraged because they believed Mary had squandered the fragrant oil, by pouring it on Jesus. Mary placed a high value on Jesus, but it seems the disciples undervalued their relationship with Jesus.

Today, another individual, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus, for thirty pieces of silver in the same chapter. Let us disregard for a moment, that Judas did the bad and Mary did the good. Consider how much each of them valued Jesus Christ.

Matthew 26:14-15 (KJV) “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.”

Comparing the Worth of  Relationships

When the price of the oil that Mary poured on Jesus, is compared to the amount that Judas Iscariot took to betray Jesus, it indicates something about the importance, that each of them placed on their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Two Factors Relationship Test

To Judas, Jesus is as worthless as thirty pieces of silver; but to Mary, He is worth more than a fortune. The value of a relationship can be determined by two factors: what you are willing to give up to sustain it, and what you would be willing to trade it for if necessary. Judas was willing to trade Jesus for so cheap, thirty pieces of silver.

Monitoring the Worth of Relationships

We must continue measuring the worth of our relationship with Jesus and ensure that the value we set on Jesus Christ, and our relationship with Him has not dwindled. I want to assume, that Judas valued his friendship with Jesus from the start; otherwise, we would not have found him following Jesus for more than three years. But, somewhere along the way, his value for Jesus has dwindled to, as little as thirty pieces of silver.

Self Evaluate His Worth 

The behaviors of Judas and Mary toward Jesus were driven by their love for Jesus. I hope your love for Christ hasn’t waned! How much can anybody pay you, to compromise your relationship with Christ? How much will you give up, to maintain your relationship with Him? When you can answer these two questions, you will realize how much He is worth to you.

Let’s Talk About It

Is there anything competing with your love for Jesus?

Prayer Starter

Father, I receive grace to treasure Jesus above anything, and above any other in my life, in Jesus’ name.