What is your worth? I googled that question the other day and the answer is shocking. A kidney is worth anywhere from 50K to 200K. The heart, 130K to 300K, and the lungs, 150K to 290K. (Of course that’s with a healthy body, and it’s based on an illicit market with varying prices.) From an insurance perspective, the numbers are a little less. Some policies can provide payouts ranging from 20K to 500K for life and limb loss.
7.5 MILLION $
And finally, FEMA uses VSL (Value of a Statistical Life) to determine the value of an individual. Your life is valued at 7.5 million dollars. After reading all of these estimates I realized they still didn’t answer the question. What is our worth? And fortunately, there is another resource that precisely tells our worth.
A MAN WITH NO VALUE
The Bible tells the story of a man not worth anything. We don’t know his name, but he is one of the two criminals who hang beside Jesus on the cross. Why is the man being executed? We can only surmise that he committed an awful act like murder or stealing from the authorities. This is not the kind of man that you want to have lunch with or babysit your kids (or someone to do your taxes).
This lawbreaker deserves to hang on the cross. Jesus also hung there but was sinless. There the three are, each hanging on a cross. So, what does this felon say that convinces Jesus of a changed heart? First, the man declares to the other criminal a statement regarding Jesus: “This man has done nothing.” Next, the sinner requests, “Jesus remember me when you come into you Kingdom” (Luke 23:40-43).
This nameless individual observes the holiness of God emanating from Jesus. Instead of hurling at Jesus all the insults coming from those surrounding the cross, the man acknowledges something unique in Jesus. He notices Jesus is not from around these parts! Jesus is from a Kingdom (which the man knows little about) and the lawbreaker knows he wants to be part Jesus’ Kingdom.
JESUS SEES THE VALUE
What did Jesus see in the man? Jesus sees value. Jesus sees an individual whom He created; someone created in the image and likeness of God. It is hard for the man to acknowledge Jesus as his Savior, (it has taken him a lifetime!). But it takes Jesus only seconds to respond with “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Wow! This man is beside Jesus for a very short time and yet he convinces Jesus of his true love and faith in a loving God. This man is certainly worthwhile. Despite all the wrongs that he committed during his life, there is enough forgiveness to welcome him into Paradise. Yet, this happens only minutes away from the man’s death.
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE
The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians, “You are not your own, you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.” (I Corinthians 6:20) What is this price? Well, it isn’t Google’s book value. It is Jeus giving up His life so that we can have life. Our sins are no different from the two men hanging on either side of Jesus. He gave His all for us.
WHAT IS YOUR VALUE?
What is your worth? Do you see the value in your life? Sometimes we lose sight of why we are here. Our true value is wrapped up in the One who made us and the price He paid for us. God values you. You can bring glory to God by sharing with others not their book value, but their value in the eyes of the Eternal God.
Click to hear the story of Jessica Carpenter