Receiving The Crown Of Life

"Today's Devotion" For March 30, 2005

Read: Matthew 19:27-30; Revelation 2:8-10

RECEIVING THE CROWN OF LIFE

"'Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.'" (Rev.2:10)

Most people who know me will tell you that I really love food. When I was growing up there was always a certain amount of competition for food, especially things we didn't get all the time. So, when there was cake or a pie, or some other treat like that the inevitable challenge among us siblings was, "He (or she) got a bigger piece." Then there was the inevitable question that always arose when someone would be allowed to do something another wasn't allowed to do, "How come she (or he) can go and I can't?" What's so interesting to me is that even my own children have, at times, debated over these same questions. Someone always seems to feel as if they're being short changed or left out. Perhaps you remember asking such plaintive questions when you were a child, upset that a sibling, usually older got the bigger piece of pie or was able to go someplace you weren't allowed to go. How often haven't older brothers and sisters complained that their younger siblings have gotten away with things that they couldn't get away with when they were younger?

It's that very same thought process that's behind Peter's question to Jesus concerning God's redemption of even those who would put riches before their relationship with God. Jesus had just told His disciples that God can do the impossible, even save those who would put their riches before God. Peter's question only reflects the feelings of the disciples toward Jesus' revelation of such mercy and grace from God toward those who might be considered unworthy because they had lived so long away from God. There's an inherent danger and peril to faith when such an attitude is held by any disciple of Jesus Christ. Having received God's grace first and having been led to renounce all to follow Jesus, to have such an attitude toward those who are "Johnny-come-latelies" to faith in Christ can lead to resentment, particularly toward God and the extending of His kingdom to such people. Jesus' warning in the parable reminds them that they have received what they have by God's grace, the same grace that will be extended to all the world.

Those childhood frustrations that arose from the assumption that a sibling was getting more than what we were receiving, or going somewhere we couldn't go were, and are, the natural reactions of sinners whose only concern is for themselves. Such thinking poses a spiritual danger to us. Questioning God's fairness and His grace toward others poses a serious threat to our relationship with Him. There is no one, not you, not me, not anyone, who deserves the precious gift of the "crown of life" that is ours through faith in Jesus Christ. To rejoice in the "11th Hour redemption" of another human being is a precious opportunity for each of us to give thanks for God's boundless grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness for the world. To rejoice that God's Spirit, through the power of the Word, accomplishes miracles and brings people into a saving relationship with Him, even at the last moment of life, is a marvelous gift of God's grace to us. After all, it's not an issue of how long we have believed in Jesus, but rather whether we have believed in Him. How great is our God and how great is His gift of salvation that the crown of life in Jesus Christ can be His precious gift of His grace to all who believe in Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me not to be jealous of those who receive Your grace only at the end of their lives. Rather, help me to rejoice that Your grace in Christ has brought them home to You. Lead me to daily strive to lead others to Jesus so that they can receive Your grace and forgiveness of their sins. Also, Father, help me to give thanks each day that I have received Your grace and forgiveness and that I am Your precious child and an heir of heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.