Valuation of the Lord Jesus Christ

 

John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.  

Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,  

Matthew 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.  

Matthew 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 

Defining valuation 

Every day, our minds constantly evaluate the things we encounter. For instance, if we see an advertisement for a good dinner deal, we immediately consider it. If we perceive it as good value, we'll make a reservation and go for the meal. We assign value to everything we consider buying, including cars, laptops, and houses, and even to our relationships. I once heard a son at his parent's wake state that, with both parents gone, the family's relationships would shift into "another sphere." I believe he meant that the siblings' relationships would no longer be as close. 

Individuals value things differently. For example, one person might be willing to spend RM500,000 on a car, while another equally wealthy individual might find that too expensive and prefer to spend only RM50,000. In this scenario, the more expensive car is considered overvalued by the second person, who will reject it in favor of the cheaper option they perceive as fair value. To illustrate further, some people wear watches costing RM1 million, while others of similar wealth might choose a RM10 watch. 

The examples above illustrate the contrasting value individuals place on material possessions and relationships. Since the title of this document is "The Valuation of Jesus Christ," I will now outline valuation factors and explain how these bases can be used to rationally value the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Reasons why an item is valuable 

Generally, an item, whether tangible or intangible, is considered valuable if it possesses the following characteristics: 

• Appealing: A beautiful piece of art, for example, gains value due to its aesthetic appeal. Similarly, a religion's perceived value can vary significantly by location; it's typically valued more highly in places where it's practiced by the majority. 

• Association with the famous: A painting by a renowned artist like Van Gogh will be far more valuable than one by an unknown painter. Likewise, if a famous individual belongs to a particular religion, that religion often gains a higher valuation by association. 

• Acceptance: Anything widely accepted by society tends to have a higher valuation. Whether it's property, cars, or relationships, when the public deems something desirable, its value increases. 

• Beneficial: Value is also built upon the subject's beneficial effects on individuals and society. Examples include water, a garden shear, or a helpful relationship. 

• Durable: An item is also valuable if it possesses durable properties. A car, for instance, is considered more valuable than a train ticket, and a fountain pen is often more valued than a ballpoint pen. Another aspect of durability is whether something is temporal or eternal. Some consider a clear conscience eternal, while temporal things, like one's career, are useful only during a lifetime and cease to exist after death. 

• Limited: Luxury watch companies understand this concept well; limited edition watches are consistently more expensive. This principle stems directly from the economic concept of supply and demand. 

 

Beyond these general characteristics, individuals also consider other factors when assigning value: 

• Emotional or Symbolic Value: A wedding ring, though it may be inexpensive, holds immense value to a couple because it symbolizes their love and the sacrifices they made, perhaps when they were poor, to acquire it. 

• Moral Value: Many people cherish friendships founded on honesty and truth. Generally, individuals tend to value those who are self-sacrificing more than those who are self-indulgent. Attributes like loyalty, kindness, and appreciation for past considerations are honorable traits that enhance perceived value. 

• Temporal Usefulness: It's quite common for individuals to value things based on their immediate usefulness. For example, some may prioritize a relationship based on what they can gain from others. If given a choice between lunch with a cabinet minister and a long-retired friend, they might choose the cabinet minister due to the perceived temporal usefulness. 

The Lord Jesus Christ’s value 

The number of regular churchgoers globally is relatively small. According to Gallup statistics, while there are approximately 2.6 billion Christians worldwide as of 2025, constituting about 31.7% of the global population, not all of them attend church regularly. 

Actual church attendance figures are significantly lower. For example, in the U.S., only about 20% attend weekly, and around 41% attend at least monthly. Globally, attendance varies widely by region, being higher in parts of Africa and Latin America, and lower in much of Europe and East Asia. 

If we use the U.S. weekly attendance as a guide for the number of "true Christians" worldwide, then only about 6.3% of the global population of 8.2 billion attends church each week. Based on this statistic, we can infer that the number of genuine Christians is much lower than reported, as 25.4% of the world's population are merely professing Christians. These "Christians" appear to place a low value on their Savior, Jesus, as evidenced by their casual approach to church attendance. The Lord's poignant question in Luke 6:46 serves as a wake-up call for those who merely bear His name: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" 

What should be the worth of the Lord Jesus? 

Thomas, a disciple of the Lord Jesus, valued Him so highly that he considered Him worthy even at the cost of his own life. In stark contrast, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Him, valued Him so little, equating His worth to the price of a slave. Most people, even many Christians, assign a value somewhere between these two extremes. I believe that among all the treasures in this world, the Lord Jesus is the most undervalued. 

I will now present the following factors to help those who have regrettably placed a low value on the Lord Jesus Christ to perform a re-evaluation. In investing, understanding the true value of a stock is paramount. All share investors know the golden principle: pick undervalued shares and hold them for the long term, as their real worth will eventually be realized. However, this example deals with temporal things. The valuation of Jesus Christ, on the other hand, has eternal consequences, and a wrong estimation of His worth will result in a person incurring an eternal loss of opportunity. 

In your re-evaluation, it's crucial to carefully consider the factors that grant value. The following comments will guide you in forming your own conclusion about the worth of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Appealing 

The Word of Jesus Christ is appealing because its promise is available to everyone, regardless of wealth or status. As stated in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

 

Association with the famous 

Many famous individuals have highly valued the Lord Jesus Christ. Below are some well-known figures who regarded the Lord Jesus as God: 

• Philosophers: 

• C.S. Lewis, a distinguished literary scholar and Christian apologist, explored philosophical themes throughout his writings, particularly in works like The Abolition of Man, Mere Christianity, and Miracles. He also taught philosophy early in his academic career at Oxford. 
   

• Blaise Pascal was a precocious child who presented a mathematical paper at age 15 and was also a renowned physicist. Later in life, he considered the knowledge of the Lord Jesus more important than his earthly knowledge. 
   

• Scientists: 

• Isaac Newton, a devout Protestant, dedicated more time to theology than physics, viewing his scientific work as revealing God's design. 
   

• Robert Boyle, often considered the father of modern chemistry, believed that science glorified God. 
   

• Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk, founded the science of genetics. 
   

These highly intelligent individuals all placed a high valuation on their Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Acceptance 

Christianity is an extension of the Jewish faith, with its records tracing back to Genesis, the beginning of time. Throughout humanity's existence of over 6,000 years, it has gained a vast following. Even severe persecutions by the Roman Empire could not extinguish the faith in the first 300 years after Jesus' crucifixion. 

 

Beneficial 

Christianity has profoundly benefited society in numerous ways. The laws of many countries, for instance, are framed based on biblical principles. The Renaissance was deeply influenced by the increased accessibility of the Bible, and this shift played a major role in shaping the intellectual and spiritual climate of the time, eventually impacting the entire world. 

 

Durable 

The promises within the Bible are not only durable on Earth but, more importantly, eternal. Believers are promised eternal happiness after this life, as Revelation 21:4 states: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." 

 

Limited 

Jesus Christ holds immense value because only through Him can we find salvation. Acts 4:12 declares, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." 

 

Emotional or Symbolic 

At the cross, Jesus Christ died for me. He establishes a personal relationship with each believer who was once a lost soul in the world. Galatians 2:20 eloquently puts it: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." 

 

Moral Value 

The records in Acts 10:38 highlight Jesus' moral value: "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." 

 

Temporal Usefulness 

Although the Lord Jesus' primary emphasis is on Heaven, He also promises to help His followers while we are on Earth.  

 

Matthew 6:31-33 assures us: "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." 

 

We may not be as rich or healthy as others, but we are promised that God will be with us to succor us while we are on Earth. 

 

The Believers’ valuation of the Lord Jesus Christ 

Given the positive ticks for all the valuation factors when we evaluate Jesus Christ, it's no wonder that born-again believers value the Lord Jesus Christ more than their own lives. I stand with them and hope you will too. 

In the Old Testament, we are commanded to value God as paramount in our affection. Deuteronomy 6:4 states, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." 

In the New Testament, God the Son made the supreme sacrifice for you and me on the cross. He suffered, died, and rose again after three days. Therefore, I believe that when we properly consider the Lord Jesus' worth, we will voluntarily obey the above great commandment. This comes from the deepest appreciation for what He has done for me—something no one else in the world, not even our own parents, could do. 

How We Handle Valuable Things 

It's implied that when a person possesses something valuable, they will preserve it carefully. They'll maintain it diligently and keep it safe. If the item can be displayed, it will inevitably be placed in the most prominent location, with no expense spared for its maintenance. 

Regarding our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, each believer, upon a proper re-evaluation of Him, will willingly give the Lord the greatest eminence in their life. 

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

With God’s blessings,  

CL