Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Worst to First


So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (1Cor 5)
Judgment.  As a topic, it’s about as comfortable as a noose.  We who are walking by faith know there “is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1)  Our sins are forgiven!  38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8)   So, deep breath, put the baby to bed, we are justified.  Done.

So what’s all this talk of judgment seats?  What is the Parable of the Talents about?  The Parable of the Minas?  Why does it sound like there are degrees of honor in God’s kingdom?

Simply put, because there are.

The disciples understood this.  The hierarchy of heaven was of great concern to them.  27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matt 19)  Don’t take my word for it; take the Word’s word.  When asked who would be greatest in the kingdom, Jesus didn’t tut-tut and shake his head, “You guys.  Don’t you understand?  It’s pass/fail.  There’s no first or last.  You’ll all be part of the collective uni-mind.  There’s no greatest, no least, you will just Be.”  Instead, he tells them, “You wanna be great?  Be least.”  27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.  28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22)  Jesus is no stranger to hierarchies.  He invented them.  They are how he works.  Heads over bodies.  Kings on thrones.  Authorities.  But he also demonstrates how they are supposed to work. 

He deliberately juxtaposes his own servanthood, his obedience, his submission, his own humility and meekness, his own laying down of all his rights as King of Creation and Creator God, for the good of a few, measly, meager, sinful, wormy, filthy, whoring, rebellious people.  US!  This is greatness!  This is a life worth living.  This is what we are to do!  AND!  This is the power by which we do it!

Again and again we come back around to: Love God with all your heart, mind and strength and Love each other as I have loved you and love as the total submission to the other for the good and glory of the other.  They are not on our To-Do list.  They ARE our To-Do list!  They are the pass/fail grade of every item we planned to do today.  Does it love God?  Does it love my brother, sister, neighbor, community?  Does it bring glory to Him who sits on the throne?  Or does it bring shame and dishonor?  Or is it for my glory?  Does it demonstrate His mercy?  Does it demonstrate grace?  Who is benefiting?  This isn’t a nice idea.  It’s not pie-in-the-sky philosophy.  It’s brutally hard, messy work!

Which is why we run back, again and again to the Gospel for who has been forgiven much, loves much.  The Cross.  The Power.  The Spirit who comforts and helps and guides and intercedes.  It’s why we start praying before our feet hit the floor, adoring, confessing, thanking, supplicating, lather, rinse, repeat, ceasing only once we’re asleep.  Why we meditate on the Word.  We run back to the beatitudes.  Blessed are the poor.  Blessed are the poor in spirit.  Blessed are the hungry.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Blessed are the meek.  The peacemakers.  The persecuted.  Jesus knows this cup is not easy to drink.  He drank it!  He knows suffering.  He knows temptation.  He knows you will fail and he knows your sin.  He died for it and there is now no condemnation.  But He’s not content to leave you in it.  22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rom 8)  He’s conforming you to his image for your adoption.  Those times of true worship, when you did something selfless, when you feel his pleasure and enjoyment with and in you… those are but the first fruits!  He’s filled the cup with exactly the right amount of trial and tribulation to accomplish the finished work of art, the purification of the perfect bride he wants you and I to be, “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph 5)   

That’s why the reward for drinking it is so great!

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