A certain high school student received a Christmas card from a schoolmate:
"Thanks for making Physics class fun. And although I don't know you well, you
seem always to be honest and caring. Thanks."
No wonder this note writer, when invited by that classmate to a spring break
Christian camp, answered in the affirmative, and went.
No wonder he eventually made a commitment to Christ.
In a dog-eat-dog world, he had finally seen one person who risked being a
servant.
He saw a little Christ, and he liked what he saw.
v. 28 is really the theme of Jesus' entire life.
And it's intended to become the theme of those He has ransomed by His
death on the cross.
Just as Jesus cannot be understood apart from His mission to us,
so it is intended that you, if you're a Christian, cannot be understood
apart from your mission to others.
How would you describe yourself?
As a homemaker, a mechanic, a businessman who incidentally is going
to heaven?
Or as a heaven-bound servant of others who incidentally is a homemaker,
a mechanic, or a businessman?
It makes a world of difference.
No wonder the Bible calls the Christian experience a "conversion."
The word "conversion" means a reversal, a turnaround.
And multitudes in the church have never made that turnaround.
How about you?
Mrs. Simpson, an active church member, taught 4th grade at the local school.
She knew that she should love and treat all the kids alike.
But Teddy - now that was different.
He was sullen, sat with his head down, never looked her in the eye.
He was unattractive, unresponsive and, in fact, repulsive.
Somehow Mrs. Simpson kind of enjoyed putting X's next to his mistakes.
And she wrote F's on his report card with a flourish.
She should have known better; she had seen his record from lower grades:
1st grade: "Teddy is withdrawn; trouble at home.
2nd grade: "'Teddy's mother has terminal cancer."
3rd grade: "Teddy's mother died this year; his father is indifferent to
Teddy."
At Christmas time it was the custom in this school for the children to bring
a gift for the teacher.
They were all beautifully wrapped - except for Teddy's, which was
wrapped in wrinkled brown paper.
When she opened it, it was a used bottle of cheap perfume.
She tried to be polite and thank Teddy, but it wasn't easy.
After all the children had left, Teddy hung back and said to Mrs. Simpson,
"I hoped you would like the perfume. You see, it was my mother's,
and it would be nice if you smelled like my Mum."
And then he left.
Mrs. Simpson sat down and wept, and asked God for forgiveness and help.
She had long since had a conversion to God.
Now she had a conversion to the world, to serve it - beginning with Teddy.
She began to work with him and to encourage him,.
Teddy's reading caught up, and he passed some tests.
Teddy graduated and went on to high school.
Several years later, Mrs. Simpson received a note:
"I'm graduating next Tuesday and was hoping you could come."
Then came an invitation to his university graduation.
Then came a note that he had just received his medical diploma.
Later she was asked to be substitute Mum at his wedding.
"The Son of man came, not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a
ransom for many.
To go back to the question I asked at the beginning:
"What would you think if I were to say that Jesus didn't die so that you could
go to heaven?"
Well, it's true that Jesus didn't just die so that you could go to heaven.
No, he died to make us heaven-bound servants who, moved by His costly
act of ransom, will bring others with us, drawn to Him by
our servanthood.
Thank You, dear Ransom, for what You have done for us.
Forgive us for permitting our society to squeeze us into its own mold of
looking out for #1.
For each of us, whether young or old, it is not too late for a conversion -
a conversion to Your own radical way of living.
Turn us inside outward.
Help each of us to invest ourselves in a few other people who need to
meet You.
We want to use all that we've got to do some things that last long after
we've gone home to You. Amen.
"Thanks for making Physics class fun. And although I don't know you well, you
seem always to be honest and caring. Thanks."
No wonder this note writer, when invited by that classmate to a spring break
Christian camp, answered in the affirmative, and went.
No wonder he eventually made a commitment to Christ.
In a dog-eat-dog world, he had finally seen one person who risked being a
servant.
He saw a little Christ, and he liked what he saw.
v. 28 is really the theme of Jesus' entire life.
And it's intended to become the theme of those He has ransomed by His
death on the cross.
Just as Jesus cannot be understood apart from His mission to us,
so it is intended that you, if you're a Christian, cannot be understood
apart from your mission to others.
How would you describe yourself?
As a homemaker, a mechanic, a businessman who incidentally is going
to heaven?
Or as a heaven-bound servant of others who incidentally is a homemaker,
a mechanic, or a businessman?
It makes a world of difference.
No wonder the Bible calls the Christian experience a "conversion."
The word "conversion" means a reversal, a turnaround.
And multitudes in the church have never made that turnaround.
How about you?
Mrs. Simpson, an active church member, taught 4th grade at the local school.
She knew that she should love and treat all the kids alike.
But Teddy - now that was different.
He was sullen, sat with his head down, never looked her in the eye.
He was unattractive, unresponsive and, in fact, repulsive.
Somehow Mrs. Simpson kind of enjoyed putting X's next to his mistakes.
And she wrote F's on his report card with a flourish.
She should have known better; she had seen his record from lower grades:
1st grade: "Teddy is withdrawn; trouble at home.
2nd grade: "'Teddy's mother has terminal cancer."
3rd grade: "Teddy's mother died this year; his father is indifferent to
Teddy."
At Christmas time it was the custom in this school for the children to bring
a gift for the teacher.
They were all beautifully wrapped - except for Teddy's, which was
wrapped in wrinkled brown paper.
When she opened it, it was a used bottle of cheap perfume.
She tried to be polite and thank Teddy, but it wasn't easy.
After all the children had left, Teddy hung back and said to Mrs. Simpson,
"I hoped you would like the perfume. You see, it was my mother's,
and it would be nice if you smelled like my Mum."
And then he left.
Mrs. Simpson sat down and wept, and asked God for forgiveness and help.
She had long since had a conversion to God.
Now she had a conversion to the world, to serve it - beginning with Teddy.
She began to work with him and to encourage him,.
Teddy's reading caught up, and he passed some tests.
Teddy graduated and went on to high school.
Several years later, Mrs. Simpson received a note:
"I'm graduating next Tuesday and was hoping you could come."
Then came an invitation to his university graduation.
Then came a note that he had just received his medical diploma.
Later she was asked to be substitute Mum at his wedding.
"The Son of man came, not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a
ransom for many.
To go back to the question I asked at the beginning:
"What would you think if I were to say that Jesus didn't die so that you could
go to heaven?"
Well, it's true that Jesus didn't just die so that you could go to heaven.
No, he died to make us heaven-bound servants who, moved by His costly
act of ransom, will bring others with us, drawn to Him by
our servanthood.
Thank You, dear Ransom, for what You have done for us.
Forgive us for permitting our society to squeeze us into its own mold of
looking out for #1.
For each of us, whether young or old, it is not too late for a conversion -
a conversion to Your own radical way of living.
Turn us inside outward.
Help each of us to invest ourselves in a few other people who need to
meet You.
We want to use all that we've got to do some things that last long after
we've gone home to You. Amen.
vv. 17-19
These words had been repeated often to the disciples.
They never got the point.
Like all of us, they heard what they wanted to hear.
They never heard the words about death, mocking, scourging, crucifixion.
They only got as far as "going up to Jerusalem" - and that excited them.
That fit into their preconceived notions about Jesus.
"Well," they thought, "it's about time!
He's going up to claim the crown!
Let's find Him a white steed and have a parade into the city! Hosanna!
He's going to gather an army and drive the Romans out.
Finally, we're going to have the Messianic Kingdom!
Sadly, they missed the point entirely.
They should have noted that Jesus called Himself "Son of man."
Not theMessiah King - that had become politicized name.
Not Son of God.
No, Jesus' focus was on His humanity, His coming humiliation.
Paul tells us He was the emptied-out God.
He had taken the form of a servant, born a human
He was humbled, obedient to death, even a horrific death on a cross.
Strange, peculiar God, this.
vv. 20-21
Here's more evidence of the blindness of His disciples.
Good old Mums - they want the best for their children.
But it's obvious that this Mum is supporting what her sons think best.
Their focus is on the Messianic kingdom they think is about to be
established in Jerusalem.
"We're following you, Jesus. What's in it for us, Jesus?"
But before we condemn James and John, STOP.
We may have this very attitude among us.
"I'm going to heaven - isn't that great?
I have an eternal life policy that I can cash in at the end.
I just need to pay a few premiums -
you know, go to church when it's convenient.
don't beat your wife
be a decent neighbour
put up with the church crowd.
But that is to adopt a stance that's totally foreign to Jesus, who asserts,
"I came, not to be served, but to serve."
vv. 22-24
Can you hear the dismay, the anguish, the disappointment in Jesus' voice?
"You don't know what you're asking!"
That's after 3 years with them - and they don't get it.
And now's He's about to leave them.
The serving of His world is to be in the hands of self-servers!
v. 24 The other disciples were indignant.
But did they understand?
Their later behaviour proves they didn't.
Were they angry because they hadn't thought of the idea first?
vv. 25-27
In v. 25, Jesus is describing what everyone takes for granted.
Who would question that?
Ask the Caesars, Napolean, the Pres. of Chrysler Corp, yes,ask
bishops & cardinals
Greatness is measured by raw power over others - all too often even
in democratic societies.
vv. 26-27: Jesus is a radical! He's unreasonable!
We would have written the Beatitudes differently:
Blessed are the pushers, for they will survive.
Blessed are the hard boiled, for they never let life hurt them.
Blessed are the belly-achers, for they get their own way.
Blessed are the slave drivers, for they get results.
Blessed are the trouble makers, for they make people take notice.
But Jesus says it's not that way in the family of God.
It's radical for God to get on the floor & wash people's feet.
It's ridiculous for God the Maker of heaven and earth to be murdered for
you and me.
And now, having redeemed you and me from our safe, risk-free, orderly,
hell-bound ways, He calls us to the radical, ridiculous, job of being
what Martin Luther called "little Christs."
To join in His mission
To get crucified, if need be, for the sake of others.
To set aside our personal agenda for His.
These words had been repeated often to the disciples.
They never got the point.
Like all of us, they heard what they wanted to hear.
They never heard the words about death, mocking, scourging, crucifixion.
They only got as far as "going up to Jerusalem" - and that excited them.
That fit into their preconceived notions about Jesus.
"Well," they thought, "it's about time!
He's going up to claim the crown!
Let's find Him a white steed and have a parade into the city! Hosanna!
He's going to gather an army and drive the Romans out.
Finally, we're going to have the Messianic Kingdom!
Sadly, they missed the point entirely.
They should have noted that Jesus called Himself "Son of man."
Not theMessiah King - that had become politicized name.
Not Son of God.
No, Jesus' focus was on His humanity, His coming humiliation.
Paul tells us He was the emptied-out God.
He had taken the form of a servant, born a human
He was humbled, obedient to death, even a horrific death on a cross.
Strange, peculiar God, this.
vv. 20-21
Here's more evidence of the blindness of His disciples.
Good old Mums - they want the best for their children.
But it's obvious that this Mum is supporting what her sons think best.
Their focus is on the Messianic kingdom they think is about to be
established in Jerusalem.
"We're following you, Jesus. What's in it for us, Jesus?"
But before we condemn James and John, STOP.
We may have this very attitude among us.
"I'm going to heaven - isn't that great?
I have an eternal life policy that I can cash in at the end.
I just need to pay a few premiums -
you know, go to church when it's convenient.
don't beat your wife
be a decent neighbour
put up with the church crowd.
But that is to adopt a stance that's totally foreign to Jesus, who asserts,
"I came, not to be served, but to serve."
vv. 22-24
Can you hear the dismay, the anguish, the disappointment in Jesus' voice?
"You don't know what you're asking!"
That's after 3 years with them - and they don't get it.
And now's He's about to leave them.
The serving of His world is to be in the hands of self-servers!
v. 24 The other disciples were indignant.
But did they understand?
Their later behaviour proves they didn't.
Were they angry because they hadn't thought of the idea first?
vv. 25-27
In v. 25, Jesus is describing what everyone takes for granted.
Who would question that?
Ask the Caesars, Napolean, the Pres. of Chrysler Corp, yes,ask
bishops & cardinals
Greatness is measured by raw power over others - all too often even
in democratic societies.
vv. 26-27: Jesus is a radical! He's unreasonable!
We would have written the Beatitudes differently:
Blessed are the pushers, for they will survive.
Blessed are the hard boiled, for they never let life hurt them.
Blessed are the belly-achers, for they get their own way.
Blessed are the slave drivers, for they get results.
Blessed are the trouble makers, for they make people take notice.
But Jesus says it's not that way in the family of God.
It's radical for God to get on the floor & wash people's feet.
It's ridiculous for God the Maker of heaven and earth to be murdered for
you and me.
And now, having redeemed you and me from our safe, risk-free, orderly,
hell-bound ways, He calls us to the radical, ridiculous, job of being
what Martin Luther called "little Christs."
To join in His mission
To get crucified, if need be, for the sake of others.
To set aside our personal agenda for His.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Columns Section: 世紀網站專欄區 世纪网站专栏区: 007-001 柏大恩 專欄 柏大恩 专栏 Pastor Don Baron Column 作者：柏大恩 柏大恩 Pastor Don Baron |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| The King's Ransom |
The King's Ransom - Matthew 20:17-28
What would you think if I were to say that Jesus didn't die so that you could
go to heaven?
Before you tar and feather me as a heretic, please permit me to take us
through today's Bible text.
What would you think if I were to say that Jesus didn't die so that you could
go to heaven?
Before you tar and feather me as a heretic, please permit me to take us
through today's Bible text.