Friday, September 7, 2007

A cloud of witnesses

In Robert Bolt's play, A Man for All Seasons, Thomas More tries to persuade Richard Rich to become a teacher rather than pursue a place at court:
More: Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher. Perhaps a great one.

Rich: If I was, who would know it?

More: You! Your pupils. Your friends. -- God. Not a bad public, that.
The play makes clear which of these members of Rich's potential "public" More considers the most significant. It is easy to forget who our public is - and that may be the greatest possible error for a believer or for a church. Everything loses its proper place in our hierarchy of values when we forget. Everything falls into place when we remember.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to 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. (Heb 12:1-2, ESV).
When we rely on Him, looking not to ourselves - or our temporal achievements - or the admiration of our neighbors - or anywhere else, when we remember who our "public" is - that great "cloud of witnesses" testifies that we have got it right.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous10:53 PM

    Amen! We need eachother as Christians.

    ReplyDelete

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