Have you ever considered that you may have some valuable items in your home, stored in your attic or buried in your basement? Their value is ultimately determined by their condition and their rarity. The more rare the item, the more valuable it is likely to be. However, it is doubtful that any of us will discover a one-of-a-kind item stashed underneath a pile of old newspapers, tucked behind a stack of deteriorating cardboard boxes, or crammed in the back of an old wardrobe. One-of-a-kind items are unique. It is what makes them true treasures, like the Hope Diamond, the Rosetta Stone, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Crown Jewels of England.

Better even than these, Jesus is the true priceless treasure (Phil 3:7-8). Everything Jesus is and everything He has done, puts Him in class all His own. He truly is unrivaled. To put it another way, there is no one like Jesus. There is no one who could have accomplished what He has accomplished.

Sadly, we have a tendency to be captivated and infatuated with lesser things. In Moses’ final address to God’s people, the great leader warns Israel of the folly of turning to idols. His words in Deuteronomy 4:28 are prophetic as he tells them that they will “... serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” That is exactly what happened. Of course what is true of Israel is true of us also. Moses’ words describe our obsession with things other than God and give us a glimpse into the crookedness that inhabits our hearts. Yet, from the moment mankind rebelled against God and was cast away from His presence, God promised a one-of-a-kind Redeemer who would crush the enemy and restore the relationship that had been broken (Gen 3:15; 1 Jn 3:8; Ps 110:1). Hebrews 1:1-4 eloquently shares the fulfilment of this promise by reminding its readers of the supremacy of Jesus, the Messiah:

… in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The passage points out three traits that place Jesus above everything else, making Him a one-of-a-kind treasure: Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, and the Savior of humanity! Not unlike a priceless one-of-a-kind item, the uniqueness of who Jesus is determines the value of what Jesus is able to do. To be perfectly clear, since Jesus is the one-and-only God and the one-and-only Creator, He is capable of doing what no one else is capable of doing: saving us to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). There is no one but Jesus who was able to make “purification for sins” (Heb 1:3). The King James Version emphasizes Jesus’ sole salvific ability by translating this phrase in the following manner: “… he had by himself purged our sins.” He is the one-and-only Savior! His redemptive work is incomparable in its effectiveness. As the once-and-for-all Purifier of sinners, Jesus’ atoning work provides inner cleansing from the pollution of sin and removes the barrier that separates us from God (Heb 7:27; Eph 2:14). The One who miraculously made the worlds, also magnificently made purification inviting us back into a relationship with God! But Jesus’ uniqueness doesn’t end there. His redemptive work is also incomparable in its power, protection, and favor. Jesus’ seated posture “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3) points to the totality and sufficiency of the salvation He offers. He is the Lord of our salvation, the only one who could adequately gain it and supremely sustain it. What Jesus has powerfully gained, He protects. He deserves all the glory, honor, and praise! Finally, Jesus’ redemptive work gains Him authority based on His relationship and His role. He inherits what has been His in eternity past, the name “Son”. This sounds a bit odd, but practically “sonship” relates to the authority an individual wields based on who they are. In the context of kings, it usually took the form of a public declaration or inauguration. In Jesus’ case, His divine eternal relationship to the Father, His incarnate earthly relationship to the kingly line of David, and His righteous triumph publicly authenticated in the resurrection declare and practically inaugurate His “Sonship” as He received His inheritance (Ps 2:7-8). Simply put, based on who Jesus is and what He has done, the Father exclaims, “That’s my Son!” (Acts 13:32-33).

When it comes to everything this world has to offer, Jesus is the one-and-only priceless Treasure. He is real, and He has made Himself known (Heb 1:1-2). Everything this world has to offer is temporary. Its value is fleeting and its sheen will tarnish. Yet, God has spoken and made Himself known. Come to Him in repentance and faith today. He “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.