Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. Mark 9:7-8
“Come on, Ken, let’s get that old radio out to the garbage.” Dad was referring to an antique radio that had been cluttering up the basement since before I was born. Almost five feet tall, the massive 1930s radio featured turned wooden legs and sliding doors—quite a work of cabinetry.
Nevertheless, powered by tubes and unable to get FM, the radio served no function other than taking up space. I know those who keep everything will shudder to hear that Dad and I carried the radio out to the curb for garbage collection, but that never happened. Within 10 minutes, a truck pulled up and two men loaded the radio and disappeared. They knew the value of that tower of tubes—our trash had become their treasure.
When you look at Jesus, what do you see? When Jesus walked the dusty paths of Palestine, there were those who saw Him as some kind of prophet. Are you among those who would limit Jesus in this way? Some still do, you know. They see Jesus merely as a religious leader, a philosopher like Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, or Zarathustra. To them, His words are only spiritual suggestions.
Some see Him as a spare tire they keep in the trunk of their life. He should always be there, ready for an emergency. Some authors see Jesus’ name as an expletive undeleted, a way of shocking folks with delicate sensibilities. Some public servants see the Savior as an unpaid volunteer in their campaign as they talk about Christian values. Comedians think of Jesus as the ideal target for foolish and unfunny jokes. Some collegians see Him as “Mr. Goody Two-shoes,” the poster boy for all that’s prudish, narrow-minded, bigoted, and old-fashioned.
If that is the way you see Jesus, you are making Him far less than He is. He, who should be your greatest treasure, is being reduced to something little better than trash. The fact is you were destined for the curb and the trash truck of eternity. But Jesus knew the value of your soul, and out of love He went the way of the cross to redeem you and make you His treasure in eternity.
Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour sermon preached on March 2, 2003
THE PRAYER: You are my greatest treasure, Lord. I was destined for destruction, and You redeemed me. Out of love, You redeemed me on the cross and made me Your treasure in eternity. With all my heart and soul, I thank you, Lord. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 5-7 Acts 7:44-60
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