Valerie Rae Hanneman
Luke 2:7 (NIV) “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Matthew 27:59-60 (NIV) “Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
Paris Hilton was recently arrested for DUI. Did you know that? If you didn’t – I am trying to think of where you might have been – and I simply can’t imagine! It was reported on MSN.com, which I get at work, it was reported on Comcast.net, which I get at home. It was reported on all the gossip programs I saw ads for on the TV. And it was reported in all 5 of the newspapers I read – including FoxNews.com (which I consider to be my “serious” newspaper). We have been kept informed of every move that Paris Hilton has made. We have known her boyfriends, we have seen her try to act – then sing. We are almost daily apprised of her comings and goings, her parties and the heartbreak of her split with her “best friend forever” Nichole Ritchie. And I would like to know – WHY? Why do we care about this spoiled rich girl whose only contribution to this earth has been the increase in donations to the Animal Humane Society when she started carrying around that pitiful little rat-dog of hers?
On the same day that Paris’ arrest was splashed across the international news, Dr. Chris and Dr. Mercy Isichei, and the Faith Alive clinic in Jos, Nigeria kept 1,000 HIV-positive people alive for another day through the distribution of anti-retroviral drugs. They treated the medical problems of others who came to the clinic. They provided counseling, housing, and job training to AIDS/HIV victims. They facilitated the meeting of an HIV support group. They supported an orphanage where children whose parents died from AIDS can have a chance at life. And all of these services were provided without charge to their clients. They made a tremendous contribution to this earth and to a country whose AIDS infected population may be as high as 10%. But they weren’t on MSN or Comcast, or TV or in the newspapers. They were ignored by the world.
Why was Paris on all the news - and Faith Alive was ignored? It is because Paris Hilton embodies all that the world holds sacred - she is rich - she is powerful (because of her family) and she is beautiful. The Faith Alive Clinic has none of this.
There was a baby born a couple of thousand years ago. There was nothing that set Him apart from the crowd - in fact - quite the opposite. This Child was born to a peasant girl and her carpenter husband. He wasn’t even born in their home in Nazareth, but was instead born in a borrowed stable. There was nothing about Him that the world valued - just another brat peasant. That Child was Jesus. Thirty-three short years later, Jesus would die and be buried in a borrowed tomb. Born in a borrowed stable, buried in a borrowed tomb, Jesus’ whole life was an example of what the world despises.
Jesus has everything that the world values. He has riches beyond anything we can imagine. He lives in a city where the streets are paved with gold - and it is His city. He is absolutely powerful - He is the Creator of the universe! And nothing that has ever been can compare to His beauty.
Jesus could have come to earth with all His riches, power and beauty, and people would have flocked to Him. Caesar would have had Him on his speed-dial. The Roman Senate would have been wearing “WWJD?” bracelets. Herod and Pontius Pilate would have been His “yes-men.” But that was not Jesus’ goal. Jesus left everything He had in heaven and He came to us with nothing but Himself. He came to show us a better way than what the earth was worshiping. The earth says store up earthly treasures. Jesus says for us to store up our treasures in heaven - where they are eternal. The world says that “might is right” - only power counts. Jesus came to be a servant and calls us to be a servant. The world pants after physical beauty - Jesus says that Heaven stands in awe of the beauty of a life that is lived for Him.
Jesus made sure that He was born in a borrowed stable and buried in a borrowed tomb so that all who followed Him would follow Him because of who He is and not because of what He has. He calls us to chase after Him and not after the transient things that the world values.
In fifteen years the world will be saying, “Paris who?” as they chase after the latest and greatest symbol of their values. Faith Alive clinic will probably still be largely ignored.
But what a different story in eternity. In eternity they are already saying, “Paris who?” They don’t know her. But, oh my, how they know Dr. Chris, Dr. Mercy and Faith Alive. How they celebrate the work of these faithful servants when lives are saved and souls are turned to Jesus.
The earth is going to pass away - but eternity will always be. Where do you want your name known?
My Savior, My Jesus, this world holds nothing for me. I want more of You in me, I want to chase after You, I want to be known in eternity because of You.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Posted by Valerie at September 22, 2006 01:42 PM