February 13th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

COSTLY PERFUME OR THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER      

Matthew 26:14-16 “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.”   

In the previous section of Matthew, chapter 26, we read about a woman who loved Jesus so deeply and considered it a privilege to anoint Jesus with a costly perfume. Today’s verses from the same chapter, in fact these verses immediately follow yesterday’s, we read that Judas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus thought so little of Jesus that he negotiated a deal with Jesus’ enemies where they would pay him thirty pieces of silver, less than $350 in today’s money, to betray Jesus into their hands so they could kill Jesus. 

For the woman Jesus was a priceless treasure. For Judas He was worth thirty pieces of silver. For the woman, Jesus was as He said, “. . . the way, the truth and the life” while for Judas He was a means to add thirty silver coins to His money bag to be used in the here and now.   

For you, Having faith in Jesus is far more valuable than a full bank account. In fact, He said regarding possessing the gold and silver of this world, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” – (Matthew 16:26) Jesus taught, “Whoever wants to be (His) disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow (Him). For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for (Him) will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)  Prayer: Jesus, You are for me a priceless treasure. Amen. 

Jesus, priceless treasure,
Fount of purest pleasure,   
Truest friend to me.
Ah, how long in anguish  
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for Thee?  
Thou art mine,
O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee;  
Naught I ask beside Thee. 

In Thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me  
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,  
Ev’ry heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.  
Lightnings flash
And thunders crash;  
Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me. 

Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;  
Fear, I bid thee cease.
 World, thou shalt not harm me  
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.  
God’s great pow’r
Guards ev’ry hour;  
Earth and all its depths adore Him,
Silent bow before Him. 

Hence, all earthly treasure!
Jesus is my pleasure,  
Jesus is my choice.
Hence, all empty glory!
Naught to me thy story  
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss,
Or shame or cross,   
Shall not from my Savior move me
Since He deigns to love me. 

Evil world, I leave thee;  
Thou canst not deceive me,  
Thine appeal is vain.
Sin that once did blind me,  
Get thee far behind me,
Come not forth again.  
Past thy hour,
O pride and pow’r;   
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
Leave thee now forever. 

Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,  
Jesus, enters in.
 Those who love the Father,  
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within.  
Yea, whate’er
I here must bear,   
Thou art still my purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure.  

Jesus, Priceless Treasure // LSB 734