(Jesus said) . . . "even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Jennifer Lee and her husband, Keith, went into the mountains of Oregon to cut down a Christmas tree for their family.

They went prepared. They had a GPS, an all-wheel drive Subaru, and they had their phones.

They were prepared for almost anything, except for running into a snowdrift that just about buried their vehicle. When Keith tried to rock the car out of the ditch, he failed. Every time he rocked the vehicle, it moved closer to a cliff.

Out of cell phone range and not being able to get their car free, Jennifer and Keith became concerned. Nobody knew exactly where to find them. Nobody knew where to begin looking.

For days, Keith and Jennifer Lee waited and hoped for rescue. Finally, Keith had a new idea and freed the vehicle. In a short time, he and his wife were reunited with the kids. Speaking about her ordeal, Jennifer said, "What were we thinking? $30 for a Christmas tree? Just pay the $30 and be done with it."

She concluded, "$30 wasn't worth our life."

I would agree with Jennifer's evaluation of her value. She is worth more than $30 -- the price of a Christmas tree.

Having said that, I would also agree the life of Jesus Christ was worth more, far more than the 30 pieces of silver Judas got from the religious authorities.

"How much more?" Is that what I hear you asking? How much more was Jesus worth?

I don't know. Look into the manger and see the Son of God. Listen to Him as He preaches; watch as He does His miracles. Stand and watch as He was betrayed by one of His disciples; watch as He was beaten, railroaded to His death. What is that worth to you? What is it worth that Jesus carried your sins, that Jesus died so you might live, that He rose from the dead to show all who would see the grave had been defeated.

What is that worth? Look into the manger and see how much God loves you.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You left Your home so I might have a heavenly mansion. You carried my sin so I might be declared innocent; You gave Your life so I might live forever. I cannot put a value on such love. All I can do is offer thanks that Christ the Savior has been born. In His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Ezra 8-10    Revelation 15

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