John 19:23-24
When they crucified him, the Roman soldiers took his clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But his robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, "Let's not tear it up. Let's throw dice to see who gets it." This confirmed the Scripture that said, "They divided up my clothes among them and threw dice for my coat." (The soldiers validated the Scriptures!)
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Did you know that Jesus wore “designer clothes?” A robe created from a single piece of weaving with no seams was not cheap or readily available to the masses. Even today, a garment that can be made with creative piecing and seaming to save fabric is far less expensive than one that requires a single piece of woven material. Yet, when we think of Jesus, we perceive a man who dressed somewhat poorly.
Think about it… the Roman soldiers would not have thrown dice to win a filthy garment… even one belonging to Jesus. This robe had value! Yet a lot of people want to “sell everything and live like Jesus.” Our Jesus did not live poorly… He lived simply and humbly… and there is a difference! It’s not about the designer clothing you wear or your fancy car... but about how you act when you are wearing the clothes and driving the vehicle. Does everyone have to know you are wearing True Religion® jeans or carrying a Coach® bag? Do you jiggle a keychain for your Camaro or make sure everyone knows you drive a Cadillac or a Beemer? Do you have a reputation for only shopping in designer stores and snubbing discount or “middle-class” retailers as beneath your standards?
Why does this matter? Here’s the deal. Last week, I watched a video about a tyrannical monster in Uganda named Joseph Kony, who has recruited over 65 thousand children to serve in his army. He has forced them to commit heinous crimes, including mutilation and murder of their own parents, in order to show loyalty to him. To date, Kony has virtually “flown under the radar” of the world. But organizers are working to change this. By making Kony famous, they hope to expose his inhumanity to the world – and bring about his capture.
At the same time, I recently read an article about the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. I’m sure you have heard of this group. They are the ones who protest at funerals and other events… the church that went to Joplin, Missouri, last spring after the devastating tornado to tell the residents of that city that they had it coming… that this horrific, deadly storm was the wrath of God for their sins. Publicity and the limelight are goals of this church body… they want people to know about them.
What is my point? Ironically, Joseph Kony is a good example of how much can be accomplished when you don’t “toot your own horn,” so to speak… when you live a quiet, simple life and don’t attract attention. Sadly, he has used this for evil… but we can use the same approach to win others to Jesus. By quietly going about the LORD’s work, people will begin to see the results – and Jesus – rather than the Disciples who are working in the background. As for the church in Kansas, we should stop talking about them completely. By giving them the attention they crave, we are encouraging them to continue to make noise… and to damage the name of Jesus in the process. Their boisterous efforts to proclaim their version of “Christianity” is the perfect example of how not to win others to Christ. When we stand up, shout and draw attention to ourselves… in the name of our faith, how wonderful our church is or how Godly and devoted we are – and in essence, how wrong the rest of the folks are – we seriously damage our service to God.
I challenge each of us today to examine our motives and our methods. Are we promoting Jesus… or ourselves? Do we have a reputation for serving God by serving others and sharing the Good News… or are we known for our possessions, our position, and our attitude? If others perceive us as anything but humble and simple – regardless of what we have or our station in life – we have failed to serve God appropriately.
How do people perceive you? How do you represent God? Michael W. Smith has a song called “Cross of Gold” in which the lyrics say in part… “Where do you stand? What is your statement? What is it you're trying to say? What's your line? Tell me why you wear your cross of gold… Is it a flame? Is it a passion? A symbol of love living in you...Or is it a game? Religion in fashion...Some kind of phase you're going through?” Ask yourself these questions today. Seek God’s wisdom and strength and begin to live simply, and humbly. Understand fully that it’s not what you have that matters – or how much – but how you share Jesus with others. Who do others see when they look at you?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Cross of Gold by Michael W. Smith – available on the CD “Change Your World” ©1993. Visit http://www.michaelwsmith.com/.
KONY2012 – http://www.kony2012.com/
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