HEALING YOUR SELF-WORTH
Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have an impressive form
or majesty that we should look at him,
no appearance that we should desire him.
There is this scene in the Gospels, near the end of Jesus’ life, where a woman, John tells us it’s Mary, approaches Jesus, breaks a bottle of expensive perfume and uses all of it to anoint him. The disciples are indignant. To them, it appears to be an extreme waste of money. Where she could have chosen to use merely a few drops, she uses everything; the equivalent of at least $12,000 today.
It seems to fly in the face of good stewardship principles. Why use it all when a little will do? How about people that really could use that kind of money? Yet, Jesus doesn’t reprimand her for the waste. He actually tells the disciples to sit down and be quiet. He claims that her action is “beautiful” and that they could learn something from it.
Listen Closely: The call of Christ is one that includes humility, sacrifice and even suffering, but it is not a call to to be less valuable. And that is a vital message we all need to hear.
We tend to conflate the idea of giving of ourselves in the service of God with the idea that we are not as important as when we were living for ourselves. We tend to think: the story isn’t about us—true—we are just one of many—also, true—our life isn’t our own—ding, ding, ding—so, obviously, we don’t matter that much, and we should act accordingly—way off.
Jesus’ reaction to Mary shows that His worth was never to be lost in the midst of His sacrifice. In fact, the sacrifice enhances His self-worth, and vice-versa. This is huge for people that have been used and beaten down not just by the world, but also by the church using the excuse that they don’t matter. Hear this…God’s calling for your life does not diminish your value, it enhances it.
Jesus’ desire is for you to regain a view of yourself that is in lock-step with the way He sees you. Whatever lies you have been told, whatever it is that you think you are unworthy of, He says that, “You are worth it and more.” He has poured Himself out completely for your sake, and, even if you feel like that was a waste, you need to know he doesn’t. You are worth investing in.
PRAY IT OVER:
Where and by what has your sense of self-worth been damaged the most?
What are ways in which you consciously sacrifice for the sake of Jesus and others? Has your sacrifice led to an inability to receive God’s love in your life?
Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before him like a young plant
and like a root out of dry ground.
He didn’t have an impressive form
or majesty that we should look at him,
no appearance that we should desire him.
There is this scene in the Gospels, near the end of Jesus’ life, where a woman, John tells us it’s Mary, approaches Jesus, breaks a bottle of expensive perfume and uses all of it to anoint him. The disciples are indignant. To them, it appears to be an extreme waste of money. Where she could have chosen to use merely a few drops, she uses everything; the equivalent of at least $12,000 today.
It seems to fly in the face of good stewardship principles. Why use it all when a little will do? How about people that really could use that kind of money? Yet, Jesus doesn’t reprimand her for the waste. He actually tells the disciples to sit down and be quiet. He claims that her action is “beautiful” and that they could learn something from it.
Listen Closely: The call of Christ is one that includes humility, sacrifice and even suffering, but it is not a call to to be less valuable. And that is a vital message we all need to hear.
We tend to conflate the idea of giving of ourselves in the service of God with the idea that we are not as important as when we were living for ourselves. We tend to think: the story isn’t about us—true—we are just one of many—also, true—our life isn’t our own—ding, ding, ding—so, obviously, we don’t matter that much, and we should act accordingly—way off.
Jesus’ reaction to Mary shows that His worth was never to be lost in the midst of His sacrifice. In fact, the sacrifice enhances His self-worth, and vice-versa. This is huge for people that have been used and beaten down not just by the world, but also by the church using the excuse that they don’t matter. Hear this…God’s calling for your life does not diminish your value, it enhances it.
Jesus’ desire is for you to regain a view of yourself that is in lock-step with the way He sees you. Whatever lies you have been told, whatever it is that you think you are unworthy of, He says that, “You are worth it and more.” He has poured Himself out completely for your sake, and, even if you feel like that was a waste, you need to know he doesn’t. You are worth investing in.
PRAY IT OVER:
Where and by what has your sense of self-worth been damaged the most?
What are ways in which you consciously sacrifice for the sake of Jesus and others? Has your sacrifice led to an inability to receive God’s love in your life?
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