Truly Grand

Our Lord set highest value upon things that appear to have no value, at least not to us. He travelled to Samaria to talk with a serial adulteress. Why not make a trip to Rome, talk with Tiberius, set the world in order? A poor sinner was more important to him than a proud emperor.

                He stood in the temple courtyard and watched a woman throw “two mites” into the treasury. A mite was 1/8 of a penny. Translation: she gave nothing. The way our Lord sat mesmerized by her, you would have thought she gave a treasure. She did. She gave all she had. It was nothing grand, but it was truly grand because she gave her all to her Lord.

                Why stop and speak to the bleeding woman? Touch the leprous man? Stop the parade to answer Bartimaeus outside of Jericho? We know nothing about these people. They were not rich, famous, or beautiful, but ignored, plain, or repulsive.

                The kingdom of God does not consist in anything grand, by human standards.  Christians can do remarkable things and have profound impact upon human societies. This is wonderful, but it is not normal. Usually, we are scrounging around for the penny.

                The Lord said this would be the case: not many wise, not many noble. And, God has chosen the weak and despised to bring down the high and mighty, so that no flesh would glory in his presence. (1 Cor. 1:26-32). Jesus Christ is calling all janitors to serve him, all slaves, all cubicle workers, all traveling salesmen, all tired mothers. Whatever your station and calling, he calls you to humble yourselves and to be small in your own eyes – as he was.

                Even the standard of judgment and reward on the last day is nothing grand – did you feed me when I was hungry? Clothe me when naked? Did you give a cup of water in my name? These deeds of small value are truly grand when given from a heart that loves the Lord.

                Instead of being “too big for our own britches,” as my Granny used to say, let us aim for the truly grand. Let your light so shine among men. We serve a great and glorious Savior. Bringing his name into a conversation is like pulling the Sun out of your pocket. Do not be afraid. Everyone blinks a little, stares dumbfounded. You actually mentioned Him?! You may stutter and stumble over the right words, but your two mites of Jesus Christ are truly grand.

                Give out cups of water in his name. It is shocking how little different we can sometimes be from the world. Do we love him? Do we smile at work? Sing a song of praise? Do we wonder at his love? Speak of God’s love, show God’s love to friends and neighbors? The witness of humble kindness is not lost upon a selfish world, nor praising, thankful lips upon constant complainers. Live for Christ. Do what you do for Jesus Christ. This is truly grand, because He is.

                Do what you can. The younger and unmarried care for the things of the Lord, how they may please him (1 Cor. 7:34). If you are young and single, serve the Lord with passion! Stir the rest of us to love and good works (Heb. 10:24). At home, spouses and parents – bring Jesus Christ into all you say and do. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us (Gal. 2:20). Veteran believers share with everyone how much He has meant to you.

                The truly grand life is his life in us, our living for him, in his fellowship and strength. Bring your thoughts captive and enflame your affections with this one grand idea: I am here for Jesus Christ, to promote Him, serve Him, speak of his love, his reign, and his wisdom. Young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak, Christ is all in all, and in us all who believe in his name.