On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there is only one actor whose name and...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"True Worth"
June 22, 2017
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ESV)
On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there is only one actor whose name and character are on the star. That person is Clayton Moore, aka The Lone Ranger. There are other actors, however, who have also been intimately connected with the characters they have played. One of them was Adam West, the actor who had the title role in the 1960's series Batman.
West, who died a few weeks ago at the age of 88, complained that when the series was cancelled he found it difficult to get serious and steady work. That was because every time an audience looked at him, all they could see was a man in a cowl, a mask, and tights.
But this devotion is not about Adam West; it's about the car he drove in the series: the Batmobile. The Batmobile was a modified 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. And, unlike its driver, it never had any difficulty finding work. Sold to a car customizer in 1965, it was restored and kept in a private collection from where it did personal appearances.
In January of 2013, the Batmobile went on the auction block. It was bought by a businessman from Phoenix, Arizona, by the name of Rick Champagne. Mr. Champagne laid out a total of $4.2 million for the one-of-a-kind vehicle. Did you get that number? That's $4.2 million dollars for a remade, reconstituted vehicle, which was almost 60 years old. What could make it worth that much?
The answer to that question is a simple one. It is worth that much because that is the price Mr. Champagne was willing to pay. This takes me to the next question: what are you worth? I mean, take a look at you.
• You had a soul which was blackened by sins of thought, word, and action.
• Your relationship with your Creator was a pitiful thing.
• Your life in this world was limited to a few decades of pain, worry, sorrow, and sadness.
• Your life in the next world was going to be an eternity of misery.
Put you on the auction block and you wouldn't expect anybody to offer a plugged nickel for you.
Even so, the Heavenly Father, in His grace and compassion remembered what He had originally wanted for you -- what He wanted you to be again. To make that happen He offered the only price that was guaranteed to end the bidding -- the only price which could not be beaten. He offered the life of His one-and-only Son.
It was a price that was paid. Jesus came into this world and lived a life of sacrifice to win our rescue. Every moment of every day was part of the payment, which had been offered. It was a payment that was finished when He carried our sins to Calvary's cross and gave up the ghost.
With His glorious third-day resurrection from the dead, all could see that the price had been accepted and all who were brought to faith in Him would have a new Owner, a new home, a new life without hurt or pain. It is a role worth having.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I a poor, miserable sinner give thanks that You, the Creator of all that is, have loved me, rescued and restored me. By Your grace may others believe this wonderful truth. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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