The Most Valuable Treasure
Tuesday’s Verse:
From Luke 9:25 ESV
(Jesus said) “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Luke 9:25 points us towards eternity when Jesus tells us, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will gain it.”
Our Lord is talking about the seduction of wanting to construct our lives upon what we’ve earned, what we can show off, what we can make for ourselves. The world tempts us with fullness, but cannot provide for our souls.
Through Lutheran eyes, we read this passage and hear the quiet condemnation of all of our self-righteous efforts. We can get rich by the world’s standards. We can earn others' praise. We can become comfortable. We can seek to control our lives. And we will still feel bankrupt before God.
Only Jesus can provide what lasts. Only He can forgive us. Only He gives life. Only Jesus can make us who we truly are - members of His family.
May the sunrise this morning remind you that God’s mercies are new every morning. You don’t have to have it all together to be held by Christ. You already have the most valuable treasure in Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus Christ, keep me from pursuing things that will pass away. Fix my eyes on Your kingdom. Teach me to embrace each day as a gift of Your grace. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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