"What is the world to me with all its vaunted pleasure When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure! You only, dearest Lord, my soul's delight shall be; You are my peace, my rest, what is the world to me!
"The world seeks after wealth and all that mammon offers, Yet never is content though gold should fill its coffers. I have a higher good, content with it I'll be: My Jesus is my wealth. What is the world to me!"
In 1922, the explorer Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, the Egyptian pharaoh better known as King Tut. The tomb's treasures included gold statues, a golden throne and jewelry of gold and semi-precious stones. As exciting as such finds are, archaeological discoveries do not always create headlines, and valuable treasures do not always glitter with gold and jewels. Shards of pottery, a broken tool, a coin, or a tiny fragment from an ancient scroll reveal important details about the people who produced such things. When did they live? What was daily life like for them? What did they eat? Ordinary treasures are rich with valuable information.
Among unbelievers, Jesus is not usually regarded as a "treasure." Many people think of Him as an ordinary person, perhaps respected as a good teacher, but unworthy of the world's attention. Even during Jesus' earthly life and ministry, many people very likely had the same opinion of Him. He was born in the little village of Bethlehem and grew up as a carpenter's son in Nazareth. After several years as a wandering preacher and healer, He was crucified by the Roman authorities. There is not much to that story that would be considered worthy of news headlines, but by faith we know better! Jesus Christ is the Son of God and in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3b). The world is never content, no matter how much gold is found, but we have so much more. Through His birth, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus won for us riches far greater than anything ever found by explorers and archaeologists.
Our hymn celebrates true riches: "My Jesus is my wealth." Through faith in Jesus we receive forgiveness for our sins, a treasure that no amount of earthly gold could ever buy. Jesus redeemed us, not with silver or gold, but with His holy, precious blood shed on the cross. Jesus, our treasure and our wealth, "though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9b). The treasures of our faith are not found in a tomb filled with gold and jewels. Our treasure was revealed on a cross and at an open and empty tomb. Jesus has risen from the dead! That announcement may not make the daily headlines, but it is very good news!
WE PRAY: Jesus, You are my Treasure. I give thanks for the riches of Your grace and love. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "What Is the World to Me," which is number 730 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. What did the artifacts in King Tut's tomb tell us about him and the way he lived?
2. What is it about humans that even though we have an abundance, we still want more?
3. How can we learn to be satisfied with what we have? How does knowing Jesus make a difference in that regard?
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 30-31 Romans 2
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