Our Most Valuable Possession
Greetings, fellow disciples of Jesus,
He had become a fixture beside the Beautiful Gate. It didn’t matter the occasion or religious festival that brought you to the Temple, you could count on seeing him there. Some beggars came and went, but this man had sat beside the gate for years. Born lame, he was carried there by friends to beg for alms—the only way he could make a living, if you could call it that.
Peter and John might have even recognized him from their previous visits to the Temple. In any case, when the man asked them for alms, Peter asked for his full attention, “Look at us.” Then he said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (Acts 3:6).
It wasn’t what the man expected, to be sure, but it was the best gift he would ever receive. And I’m not talking about his healing. Yes, having his feet and ankles made strong was a wonderful, miraculous gift; but Peter and John gave the man something far greater that day: Jesus.
If you were to list your most valuable possessions, you might list your house, your land, your car, your tractor if you were thinking in terms of financial assets. But we know that these things are just money, mere silver and gold.
Prized more than these might be some heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation—a family Bible, old tools, a piece of jewelry, letters and the like. Such items may not go for much at an auction, but their value is in the personal attachment.
Thinking in more abstract terms, we would list our close friendships and family relationships as our most priceless treasures. What wouldn’t we give up to preserve and defend our loved ones?
Our most valuable possession by far is the name of Jesus Christ. It is not a magical word, but a relationship—a person given to us. Far surpassing the value of all the monetary assets we own, more precious than our health, and more dear to us than our closest friend is Jesus.
One could have all the silver and gold in the world, be strong and able-bodied, have the most devoted group of friends and be a pauper. For if you do not have Jesus, you don’t have anything.
On the other hand, one could be a beggar at the gates and by faith in the name of Jesus have all that you need. For if you have Jesus, you have everything.
You have already been given the greatest gift, the most priceless treasure, you will ever receive. You do not need to work for it or quest after it. You did not earn it, nor are you worthy of it. It is yours by grace; a sheer gift: Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Truly each one of us is the beggar at the gate who has received the greatest of gifts!
Unlike our material goods, you can give this priceless gift away, share it with your neighbors and family and strangers alike, and never see it depleted. In fact, the more you give the gift of Jesus to those around you, the richer the gift is.
With whom will you share this gift, Jesus, today?
The Lord be with you.
Pastor Mike
