Receiving The Crown Of Life

"Today's Devotion" For May 31, 2006

Read: Revelation 2:8-11; Psalm 45

RECEIVING THE CROWN OF LIFE

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

In the game of "Checkers" (a game, if my recollection is correct, I haven't played in at least 30 years), when you manage to land a checker on the base line of your opponent, he's supposed to "crown you," taking one of the checkers he's already taken from you and placing it on top of your checker now on his baseline. The advantage for the "crowned" checker is that, having been crowned (it's now called a "king"), it has renewed and increased "powers." It can now go forward and back on a diagonal, not just forward. Playing one's king(s) with skill can be a "difference maker" in the game.

While it's not my intention to turn life into a game of "Checkers," Jesus' words to the church at Smyrna, bring to mind the challenges of a game of "Checkers." The Christians at Smyrna had their faith challenged on every front by the world around them. Jesus assures them that He knows and understands their situation as He notes that they suffered from poverty and other afflictions because of Whose they were and Whom they believed. At the same time He gives them encouragement, declaring that they "are rich" (v.9), bringing to mind what James writes in his epistle, "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him" (James 2:5).

These same followers of Jesus had to deal with those who didn't "play the game" fairly. There were those who claimed to be people of God, but instead were Satan's disciples. Faced with such falsehood and hypocrisy, the redeemed of God in Christ Jesus were to suffer terribly for their faith. Jesus forewarns them that they will be thrown into prison to suffer persecution and have their faith tested by the devil. Yet, Jesus also encourages and comfort them (and us) that the time will be short and of definite duration (ten days) and their faithfulness (and ours) to the Gospel will not be in vain. Even if death should come to them (or us) because they (we) remain faithful, Jesus' assures them (and us) that "the crown of life" - eternity with Him in heaven - is the final and great reward.

Life is a challenge for every human being. No one is immune to suffering or pain. No one can be certain to escape hardship and poverty. Regardless of one's "pedigree" there are no assurances that life will be easy, success assured, or satisfaction attained. In fact, in many ways, one's "pedigree" can be a terrible hindrance to one's relationship with God - the story of the rich man and poor Lazarus comes to mind (cf. Luke 16:19-31). Jesus' words to the church at Smyrna, experiencing challenges to their faith and well-being not unlike what His children experience today, bring hope and joy to a troubled world and into the lives of the redeemed in Christ. As we live faithfully in Him, sharing His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness with others, regardless of the world's hatred and anger toward the things of God and those who serve Him, we will eventually get to the world's "baseline" as our life ends in Jesus. Our hope and comfort is that in our faithfulness, accomplished by the power of God's Word and Spirit, our Lord will "crown us" with "the crown of life" with Him forever in heaven.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for all Your blessings to me, particularly the gift of faith and hope I have in Jesus. I am so grateful that You truly know and understand what challenges, troubles, trials, and problems I face in life as I strive to live out my faith in Jesus for the world to see. Sometimes it gets so hard that I'm tempted to "go along in order to get along," and end up failing in my witness of the Gospel. For the sake of Jesus, gracious Father, I ask Your forgiveness. Comfort me with the hope You gave to the Church at Smyrna, encouraging me by the assurance that "running the race of life" in Jesus will end with "the crown of life" with You in heaven. Let all my life be a witness to that truth and hope for all who hope in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.