01/31/2019
We concentrate on all the things we give up to become righteous, and wallow in statements of sacrifice, but by doing so it is like reading the story of Pinocchio, and never acknowledging that in the end he became a real boy. In pursuing our faith so many of us attempt to eternally strap ourselves to the disappointment in our fallen lives, and miss the amazing and glorious ending that has been won for us by grace through Jesus. Who are you, the sad wooden puppet, or the vibrant and joyful boy?
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”
Philippians 3:8 ESV
Talking about how much of our lives, and our many possessions, we have given up to follow Jesus is language meant to be boastful, or perhaps spoken in an attempt at claiming a bit of the grace that flows from Jesus as our own; Placing our name on it, and shouting out “Look at me!” It is true that people often seek glory and honor for themselves in how much they have lost to obtain the object of their desire.
Last night I watched a movie on television titled “Local Color” about a young artist who walked away from home, family, and all he had for an outside chance to study art under an old alcoholic artist. What made this young fellow, John, heroic wasn’t his desire to learn, but rather, the sacrifice he was willing to make in order to do so. Look around yourself... which is more important to you, the rich man who was born into a wealth family and managed not to lose his inherited wealth, or someone like Bill Gates who built an empire from nothing more than a burning desire to make computers? Is it two people who met in high school, fell in love, married, and lived happily ever after, or the tumultuous story of two young lovers like Romeo and Juliet whose love extended beyond their own lives?
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”
Matthew 4:18-22 ESV
If we read these five verses about the calling of the disciples we will notice that there is very little mention made regarding what they left behind, but when we read of the rich young ruler, the story is different, and much is said of all he would sacrifice. Why is that so? Why is so little written of the sacrifice of Peter, John, and the rest but much written about the young ruler having to sell all he had? Could this all boil down to an exercise of faith? Are we learning here that our faith should be like that of the disciples who walked away from everything to obtain that one pearl of great value, that one thing which outweighs all those other treasures we have amassed in our earthly lives? Was it mentioned so prominently in relation to the rich man because of this man’s failure, or was it to point out the value he placed on his own life?
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Luke 18:22-24 ESV
If we go back to Philippians, and read the very next verse following Paul’s statement about losing everything for Jesus, we find Him extolling the value of his faith. This is the next step for those of faith... it isn’t to remain in the shadow of those things we left behind for our faith, but to move forward towards Jesus and righteousness. Listen to these words...
“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”
Philippians 3:9 ESV
So the value isn’t in those things we left behind, but rather it is in what we seek. If the treasure is worth enough to us we will sell everything we own and risk our health and even our lives to have it. Did you know that the story regarding the apostles doesn’t end in earthly glory? When Jesus ascended they didn’t go on to lives of ease and grandeur. No, every one of them except John, was killed in some horrific manner because of their faith. There were crucifixions, beheadings, stoning... all because they found their faith to be more valuable than life itself. Obtaining righteousness, obtaining eternal life with God, and Jesus, meant more than not suffering, or the next breath they would take. Let’s read one more verse...
“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 ESV
So it isn’t about being the best puppet we can be. It isn’t about working our way towards becoming a real boy by adhering to the law... the magic in Pinocchio wasn’t anything he did for himself... it existed in the love of Geppetto; the undying love of a poor woodcarver who created Pinocchio in the first place. The same is true for us as Christians.
So here are the truths this morning; the value of our faith to us is derived from what we are willing to give to obtain it, the only acceptable price is everything, and no matter what we give or sacrifice we will never have enough to cover the cost. The love of God and Jesus form the foundation of our becoming righteous, not what we earn. Although grace makes it possible to obtain eternity, it isn’t the treasure, it is only the means by which we can find it, and the sack that allows us to carry that real treasure with us. Knowing Jesus, and obtaining eternal life with the Farther is our true treasure, and worth everything we own... even our lives. Then finally... dwelling on what we give up to follow Jesus belittles the value of who He is, and makes us the hero of our story of faith... not Him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and for sending Him to redeem me. Thank you Holy Father for your grace which flows through Him, and makes it possible for me to stand before you, and thank you for the blood of your worthy Son that covers my every sin. Help me Father to move past the mourning I experience for those things I have left behind to follow Jesus. Help me to step out of the law and away from my own feeble attempts to save myself, into the grace you have provided. Open my eyes Lord and allow me to see that knowing you, and dwelling eternally with you is the only treasure that makes walking away from all I own, and have, worthwhile. I pray Merciful Father that I will not be called to martyr myself, but if I am Lord, give me the strength and courage to face my circumstance with unfaltering faith, and a love for those who desire to harm me that would allow me to forgive them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and worthy is your Son Jesus! Praised be your name, and may all glory be yours now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes