Unexpected Winners
"Many who are first will be last."
Matthew 19:30
Matthew 19:30
Perhaps
the most preposterous, spellbinding moment in the 2018 Winter Olympics
was when the Czech Republic’s world champion snowboarder Ester Ledecka
won an event in a completely different sport: skiing! And she took the
first-place gold medal even though she had the unenviable position of
skiing 26th—a feat believed to be basically impossible.
Amazingly, Ledecka qualified to race the women’s super-G—an event that combines downhill skiing with a slalom course. After she won by .01 of a second on borrowed skis, she was just as shocked as the media and other contestants who had assumed the winner would be one of the top skiers.
This is how the world works. We assume the winners will keep winning while all the others will lose. It was a jolt, then, when the disciples heard Jesus say how “hard [it is] for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). Jesus turned everything upside down. How could being rich (a winner) offer a roadblock? Apparently, if we trust in what we have (what we can do, who we are), then it’s not only hard but actually impossible to trust God.
The kingdom of God doesn’t play by our rules. “Many who are first,” Jesus says, “will be last, and many who are last will be first” (v. 30). And, whether you’re first or last, everything we receive is purely by grace—by God’s unmerited favor.
Amazingly, Ledecka qualified to race the women’s super-G—an event that combines downhill skiing with a slalom course. After she won by .01 of a second on borrowed skis, she was just as shocked as the media and other contestants who had assumed the winner would be one of the top skiers.
This is how the world works. We assume the winners will keep winning while all the others will lose. It was a jolt, then, when the disciples heard Jesus say how “hard [it is] for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). Jesus turned everything upside down. How could being rich (a winner) offer a roadblock? Apparently, if we trust in what we have (what we can do, who we are), then it’s not only hard but actually impossible to trust God.
The kingdom of God doesn’t play by our rules. “Many who are first,” Jesus says, “will be last, and many who are last will be first” (v. 30). And, whether you’re first or last, everything we receive is purely by grace—by God’s unmerited favor.
Today's Reflection
Consider
how you view people, or how you view your own life. How does Jesus’s
way of seeing so-called losers and winners change your perspective?
I can imagine that the saying of Jesus about so-called losers and winners might rub some people the wrong way. Some people still want to think that their "efforts" play a role in their salvation. The idea of human fairness dictates that one's rewards are in proportion to ones own efforts. But Jesus turns it topsy turvy by dispelling long held beliefs that wealth was a sign of favor from God and poverty the opposite. The Gift of Eternal Life in God's presence simply by trusting in Christ takes out all human pride in the equation. SomethingI still grapple with to fully comprehend.
ReplyDeleteI love when this references "trusting in what we have. It is true, we assume that if we aren't rich or privileged we aren't going to make it in life "only the rich keep excelling" But that's such a lie.God doesn't pick and choose the prettiest, the smartest, the richest we loves those that love him and choose to leave everything behind and follow him. If we only admire the wealth of this world and worldly things we have we will loose sight of the bigger picture- personal relationship with God. Leaving all our worldly behind and choosing to trust Him every single day. What a great wake up call.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe Christ sees "losers & winners". Rather, He sees us all as winners (hello, salvation anyone?), even though we all constantly screw up. Very recently, after an excruciatingly difficult parenting moment where I was asking myself where I went wrong, I was reminded of the great parent of all - God Himself. And what do His children do Every. Single. Day?!? I'm no better than my kid who screwed up.
ReplyDeleteIt's all in perspective, what a person values and wants. That is why it is important to have a knowledge of what God values so that we can stay on track. We need to stay aware of our emotions, outlook and relationships to stay on track.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Jesus sees winners or losers either per say. We all fall short on a daily basis and are in need of His grace. If we see our students, family members as beautifully created in His image and still needing his infinite grace and wisdom, that seems the best policy when dealing with humanity.
ReplyDeleteWinning and losing is what we here on Earth focus on. God wants our thoughts and prayers and praises. If through that lens you live your life you will be with God and that is all that matters. Is it great to get accolades? Yes of course, but that isn't what gets you right with God. Faith and honoring Him.
ReplyDelete