No one really knows the worth of the Queen’s Coronation Crown. Originally it was called St. Edward’s Crown and was worn briefly by the new British monarch. The entire worth of the royal family’s collection of crowns, robes, scepters, and other ceremonial items housed in the Tower of London for the last many centuries is estimated at about $3.5 billion.
However, the Queen’s Coronation Crown is premier above all. Weighing nearly five pounds, the opulent headgear comprises gold, velvet, ermine, and a plethora of glittering gemstones. The stones were made permanent by King George V, Elizabeth II’s grandfather. However, if you pulled it apart and broke it down by individual pieces, the cost would be much lower than its present value. Based on current calculations of materials, to duplicate the crown would cost a respectable $4.5 million. Most of the cost would involve the 7 sapphires, followed by 26 tourmaline stones. The lush purple velvet, as regal and royal as it is, would only set you back $3.
It’s not the individual components that make the Queen’s Crown so valuable. Alone, a replica is far less expensive than the original. The value is found in its connection to the kings and queens who wore it. In fact, it is the uniqueness of the monarchs connected to the entirety of the royal jewels and artifacts that give the collection its worth. Without that connection, the pieces are merely measured against the going rate of their replacements.
The worth of the Church was never based on the individual lives of the people who were apart of it. Nor did the Church find its value in its collective talent or ability, regardless of their giftedness. Each person began in iniquity and was far from God. Each individual had their roots in lust and corruption; all were conceived in sin, as David so aptly wrote.
The value of the Church is its connection to the King of Glory and the precious Blood of the Lamb of God. We are made worthy by He Who sits on the throne of Heaven. Jesus, the Lord of Hosts, is the Creator of all things and because of Him we are the sons and daughters of the Most High God; joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.
Pull this apart, if you will, but the worth of the Church plummets. Remove the name of Jesus out of baptism and our worth is gone. Diminish the necessity of Holy Ghost baptism and you have nothing, but a country club with menial endeavors. Our value is tied to something higher than us. We have value and identity because of Him Who sits on High. We have purpose because of His loving kindness. All that we are and hope to be is by virtue of His grace and mercy. In Him, our value is beyond this world.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole