Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord
"By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward."
Psalm 17:14
Crowns and throwns are things that can be lost; it is only in the kingdom of God that there is a crown of glory that does not fade away. God's kingdom cannot be moved, it cannot be conquered by Satan. He tried and failed. In Christ Jesus' kingdom, he will reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And then the new heaven and new earth will reign forevermore. The Messiah’s kingdom shall last for ever, and his redeemed will reign and serve with him.
Christ frees us from slavery to Satan and makes us his friends and servants. Bought at a price. Freed from slavery, and reborn into service. Our freedom in Christ is not a kind chaotic self-serving thing. Our freedom in Christ is a mission. It is a vocation. It is freedom to no longer be slaves to sin, but instead serve the Lord.
The people want to be free from any bondage. They want to be their own masters. Kings and queens of their own castles. Ruled by no one. In fact even the followers of Christ aren't following, more likely they are looking to Jesus and saying, "come here Jesus, I make you my savior, come put your blessings upon my ways". They make him just another personal AI, an idol. Artificial spiritual power that serves their own destiny and power structures.
Jesus Equated Loving or Trusting Anything Over God as a Form of Idolatry
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
Jesus said to beware of teachers who do everything for show...(Matthew 23:5-12)
Jesus encouraged humility rather than seeking honor and status. He would NOT have been an accomplished social media influencer with that attitude.
Jesus talks about those who seek and store up treasures for themselves, but who are not “rich toward God”, he warns they can face spiritual poverty as a consequence. In a stark reversal of fortunes, those who live self-indulgently, ignoring the needs of others as they gather everything to themselves and store it all up for themselves, they will be humbled and rewarded with torment.
Those too focused on money and earthly pleasures allow little room for God’s message to grow. If they receive the message at all. Most are wrapped up in the cares and concerns of the world, stuck in the weeds, so entangled that they cannot thrive in God's word.
In Matthew 13:44, Jesus told a story of a man who discovered a hidden treasure in a field. He sold everything he had to buy that field and claim that treasure.
The treasure is the kingdom of God and his gospel word. The field is this life, your life, your service and stewardship, your spiritual investments. And ultimately the productive work of multiplying that treasure. Jesus calls his disciples to live selflessly and compassionately while spreading the good news of God’s love and salvation.
In fact, Jesus wants his servants working justly and righteously for the kingdom here and now. He even went so far as to accuse some of “locking people out of the kingdom” for their own gain (Matthew 23:13). Jesus’ emphasized integrity, sincerity of heart, and faithful stewardship rather than personal gain. Not men pleasers, but bond servants of the heart, serving God. Not trying to please a compromised public opinion, but Christ's judgements. Not following the fact checking community notes of the cultural judges, but following God's word and serving Him.
“whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26)
What is that work?
“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20)