Readings for today: Ezekiel 29-30, Hebrews 11:32-12:13, Psalms 112, Proverbs 27:17
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:32-38)
Over the course of the last twenty years of ministry, I have met Gideon. Barak. Samson. Jephthah. David. Samuel. Deborah. Sarah. Priscilla. Junia. Godly men and women who endure great hardship. Persecution. Suffering. Even death. They are often filled with great power. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they perform miracles of healing. They cast out demons. They raise the dead. I have also seen them feed the hungry. Care for the sick. Visit those in prison. These seemingly mundane actions are just as miraculous as the signs and wonders according to Scripture.
Why do they sacrifice so much? What motivates such people to pour themselves out and place themselves at risk for the sake of the gospel? It is Jesus. They look ”Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) They see what Christ has done for us. How Christ poured Himself out for us. Emptied Himself of all His glory. Left the riches of heaven to become poor for our sake’s. Jesus gave it all. Jesus paid it all. Jesus surrendered all. And as they keep their eyes fixed on Him, they find themselves responding in much the same way.
Sacrifice should come naturally to the Christian. While the flesh may resist, a regenerated heart should warm to the idea of giving all that we have to Jesus. A soul renewed by the Holy Spirit will find it’s greatest fulfillment in serving Christ. On some level, it shouldn’t even have to be taught. It’s not like all the men and women listed in Hebrews 11 underwent seminary training or a 12 week discipleship course or even had Bibles to read in a year! :-) God called. They answered. God commanded. They went. God raised them up. They obeyed. Not perfectly. Not always faithfully. But on balance - over the course of their lives - they believed God and trusted in His promises.
These are the witnesses that surround us even now. They cheer us on from the heavenly realm. They understand that this world is a battlefield where the Lord is waging His stubborn war for the souls of humankind. They once walked in our shoes. They know the suffering we endure. They know what it’s like to feel anxiety and fear and pain. But they also know the power of faith. Through Christ, they overcame the world and they know we can as well. Why is the world not worthy of such people? Because this world is not our home. This world is passing away. This world groaning and laboring and waiting for the new creation. You and I were not made for this world. We were never meant to live forever in this world. We were created for a different home. A heavenly home. A place where there is no crying or suffering or pain. A place where there is no more darkness or night. A safe place where sin and evil are cast out once and for all. This is the world we look to in Christ Jesus. This is the world guaranteed us by Christ’s saving death and resurrection.
So don’t hold on to the things of this world. Don’t pursue the temporary pleasures it has to offer. Don’t spend your energy and time and resources chasing the wind. Instead, give all you have to the Lord. Embrace His will. Walk in His way. Serve Christ and you will receive the eternal rewards He promises to all who believe!
Readings for tomorrow: Ezekiel 31-32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalms 113-114, Proverbs 27:18-20