Do you ever wonder about your worth? Double Diamond doesn’t have to wonder.
Don’t feel sheepish if you don’t know Double Diamond. He’s a sheep. A ram lamb, actually. And he set a new world record price at the Scottish National Texel sale last August at $485,000. One of his buyers said he was well worth the price because “the lamb's gigot was particularly good.” Who knew?
So, what about you? What are you worth?
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,” (Isaiah 9:6). That child grew up and, to demonstrate the value of a single soul like you, told a story about a lost sheep. Its owner would “go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:4-6).
You are that sheep. And the Owner has gone to incredible lengths to find you and bring you home!
“Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:5-7).
In case we still wonder whether we are worth anything, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12).
Jesus told another parable to further ensure we understand the value he places on us. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45).
Who is that fine pearl, worthy of a merchant giving up everything for it? You!
“You were bought at a price,” Paul reminded Jesus-followers (1 Corinthians 6:20). "For God so loved the world (including you) that he gave his one and only Son,” (John 3:16).
It is difficult to believe that a sheep could be worth $485,000. Harder still to believe that someone like me could ever be thought worth the life of God’s son. I marvel at a virgin birth. I am astounded by resurrection from the dead. But greater by far is the wonder of One who gave up everything for me – and you.
Are you worth anything? Double Diamond doesn’t have to wonder. The main message of Christmas is that you don’t either.