Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14 10-11; Luke 22:3-6

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In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, they recount the scene where Jesus was anointed while reclining at a table with His disciples.  A woman brought an expensive alabaster bottle of perfume (which John’s gospel says was equivalent to three hundred days wages!) and poured it out on His head.  Though this perfume was expensive, this woman knew that Jesus was worth it. 

This scene is laid right before the passages of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in these gospels.  Whereas this woman was willing to give up this expensive bottle of perfume, Judas instead found himself willing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.  Thirty pieces of silver was worth roughly about four month’s wages and was clearly enough for Judas to be enticed to betray the Messiah into the hands of the Jews.  In this moment and because of his sin, Judas was unable to see Jesus’ worth.

If we’re honest with ourselves, there are times that we don’t view Jesus as the treasure that He is.  The forgiveness of sin, at times, can seem to be so small in the face of worldly wealth.  It is easy to be blinded by the things that this world deems as valuable.  But the fact is, all of what this world has to offer will fade; money won’t buy happiness, possessions will break or get old, and relationships will fail to satisfy. 

But the gift of salvation is eternal.  It is priceless.  For those who are freed from their sin, we can see Jesus’ incredible value when our focus is on the cross.  So for today, what is there in your life that makes you undervalue Christ and His gift of salvation for you?  Take time to ask God to show us the immeasurable riches of His grace today so that all other “riches” might pale in comparison.