Two teams played off last week to determine who was the Premiership Club in the AFL. A week earlier both clubs were ecstatic to have made the achievement of playing in the Grand Final. But there can only be one winner- the honour cannot be shared. I’ve always thought that it actually feels better to have not made the Grand Final than to compete in the Grand Final and lose. It’s like coming 2nd in the Olympics. You don’t focus on the fact that you’re the 2nd best in the world in that sport or in the competition but rather you feel that coming 2nd is losing. It’s interesting how quickly success can turn into seeming failure. But that’s the fickle nature of success – it doesn’t last and only lasts as long as your next defeat.
That’s why Paul when he reviews his life, despite all the accolades he received he regarded them all as rubbish compared to what knowing Jesus has given to him. Paul is speaking to his former colleagues who were perhaps trying to belittle Paul by revealing what he had thrown away because of his insane idea of becoming a Christian. His fellow Jews, particularly the Pharisees couldn’t understand why Paul would throw away his future for this group of people who were spreading a rumour that their leader, Jesus of Nazareth, rose from the dead. What a ludicrous idea to throw away your life for. In fact, the Romans thought this of Paul also:
When Paul was giving his defense before the Romans he said: Some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.
I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” At this point Festus, one of the Roman leaders, interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
Maybe some of your friends, or even family, have thought that you’re crazy spending all this time, energy and even money on this crazy idea of Jesus rising from the dead. Maybe you’ve had the opportunity to stand up for your faith but was afraid of what people might think. We all know what the media and general public think of Christianity. But that should never deter us. And remember what Jesus once said – if they hate you, remember they hated me first. In fact Jesus said that we are blessed if we are persecuted because of our faith: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Which is what Jesus is describing in his parable today:
A landowner sent his servants to collect the harvest for him. But they beat and killed them. He sent more servants – and they did the same. Then the landowner sent his own son believing they would listen to him. But they didn’t and killed him also. We have here the short history of Israel and God sending his prophets to urge them to return to God. But they didn’t listen. Now this parable was specifically written for Jesus’ time to explain God’s never give up attitude to saving humanity despite what we did to his prophets and what we did to his own Son. And that never give up love for humanity continues today. Despite the rejection of God’s church -the mocking – the attempts to close down the church – God never gives up on saving humankind.
Remember, it was WHILE we were yet sinners that Christ died for us.
And that is the understanding that we need to have towards the salvation of humankind. Some religions will issue threats and even death warrants if you dare disrespect their god and prophets. But God calls on us to turn the other cheek – to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. To go and do likewise as the Good Samaritan who stopped to help him enemy who had been hurt, at his own time and expense, rather than rejoice over his pain. Paul was even willing to give up his own salvation if it meant salvation for his people.
He says, in Romans 9 – With Christ as my witness, I speak the truth. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. Not only do successes only last a brief moment but so does our hurts and rejections. They only last for this lifetime and not in eternal life where nothing evil can exist. But sometimes we allow them to keep affecting our lives and keep hurting us. That’s why Paul says – forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Yes Paul gave up a lot when he became a Christian – but he gain immeasurably more. As Paul says – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. The message Paul is trying to convey is value what is truly valuable. Everything else is passing or as Solomon says – he says everything is vanity – There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. But what will not pass away is God who is eternal. And he has prepared a home in heaven for us that no one can take away. It’s waiting there for us which is why Paul says – to live is Christ, to die is gain.
If you come 2nd in life – or even if you don’t even get picked for the team. If you never achieve the accolades or possessions that others have. Remember what Paul says – I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Even if you are mocked or ridiculed because of your faith, remember – great is your reward in heaven.
