Pastor Tom Johnson, October 18, 2015
James and John want prominence and prestige in the Kingdom of God. One wants to be the right-hand man of the Messiah and the other the left-hand man of the King of Glory. This is not unlike people who work hard to get a candidate elected; and, when the candidate wins, the campaigners expect to get one of those sweet appointments. This, of course, makes the other ten disciples angry with James and John. A turf war has begun. Who will have the greatest stature, recognition, and honored place in the eternal Kingdom of God?
Jesus rebukes all twelve. This is the way the world operates. Who has better poll numbers and greater popularity? Who is drawing out the bigger crowds and excitement? This is worldly fulfillment.
It is the kind of fullness that feeds your ego but not your soul. It may bring momentary euphoria and satisfaction but it will not bring the kind of joy that will endure into the eternal kingdom. Jesus’ insight into heart of humanity is impossible to deny. At our core, we crave recognition, acceptance, stature, places of honor, and significance. It is in our nature to compete and win. We are starving for fulfillment. We want more stuff. We want to upgrade our stuff. We want to be admired and validated. Marketers know this. Advertisers get this.
Just as I was preparing these words, I received an email from my phone provider that said, “Why wait? Upgrade your phone. You deserve the best!” Yes! I do! I am entitled to the best! I have earned it. I have paid my due with that old smartphone for far too many months! I have been held back from fulfilling my fantasies of technological bliss. Now is the time of fulfillment. “No, Johnson!” Jesus says, “There is no enduring fullness or fulfillment in the things of the world.” There is no satisfaction in our rat race for significance and pursuit of power. He is kind to unmask the face of prestige. And underneath that mask of prominence is an insecure little child looking for approval.
“Even the Son of Man—even the Messiah—did not come to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many,” Jesus says. “Even I,” Jesus reminds us, “even I never expected worldly fulfillment, recognition, or prominence.” Jesus did not come to receive fullness from the world. He came to deliver fullness to the world. He came to serve. He came to give. And his gift is himself. And he did not just give a portion. He have his whole life—his time, his talent, his treasure. As Jesus will later say, “It is better to give than to receive.” We work hard to acquire stuff and fulfillment in our pursuits. Jesus gives his whole being to pursue and acquire us.
“He gave his life as a ransom for many.” He paid our ransom, not with gold or silver, but with his precious Blood on the cross. That word ransom means that Jesus paid the price for our freedom. We have been kidnapped by our own sin and pursuit of worldly significance. We are slaves to our own appetite for more…for better…for greater. In Christ’s paid ransom, “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” We are the property of Creator of heaven and earth! We are the apple of his eye. We have been bought with a price. We are his. We are God’s. Our fulfillment is in him. And Jesus invites us take on his servant heart for people. He wants us to join his mission of giving ourselves for his Kingdom. This is true greatness, Jesus reminds us, not to be served but to serve—to give of all that we have and all that we are—for the Kingdom of God as it breaks out to those around us into all eternity.
This week I met with one of our new frequent visitors. She said that during the week the pursuit of significance begins to exhaust her and drag her down. Striving for worldly fulfillment is draining to the soul. Coming to First Saint Paul’s on Sunday morning resets her thinking and brings her back to Kingdom reality. “I am reminded of who I am. I am reminded of whose I am.” I was shocked. “You are preaching my sermon for this Sunday!” I told her. And I showed her my notes and asked permission to share her powerful words. “I am reminded of who I am. I am reminded of whose I am.” We are the Lord’s! The entire sphere and all her inhabitants are his! “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”
Lord, whose love through humble service
Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken,
Offered mercy’s perfect deed,
We, Your servants, bring the worship
Not of voice alone, but heart
Consecrating to Your Purpose
Ev’ry gift that You impart. ("Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service," v. 1)
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