What would you do for a Klodike bar?
Trains of thought are funny things. Yesterday, after picking my children up from their mothers, we were on the way home and they started a discussion about what they would be willing to do for 1 million dollars. This was one of those moments as a parent, your ears perk up and you listen…
The discussion was typcial of one led by teenage boys and the willingness covered swimming through vomet and human sewage. Surprisingly they would do it for a million dollars!
Then as my mind works it magic, I heard that old TV commercial jingle “What would you do for a Klondike Bar? Then the train of thought went further and I began to think about risk. You see, that is the real question. What would you do (willing to risk) for the gain (a million dollars or Klondike Bar)? Then my mind diverted again and began to contemplate a man named Cornelius.
In the New Testament, Book of Acts, there is a story of a soldier named Cornelius. Cornelius was by reputation and practice a devout man of faith and action. He was known for his generous giving to the needy and his regular prayer time with God. He was by all measure a success both in his career and spiritual life. His faith was not only a personal matter but his whole family were known to be devout and God fearing. He basically had it all together.
One day during his prayer time, an angel of God came to him and said “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come before God as a memorial offering, so send some ment to Joppa and bring back a man named Simon”. What a strange statement! Your actions have come before God as a memorial so send some people to go get a man from Joppa! Talk about an opportunity for risk. Not only was he asked by God to do something out of the ordinary, but he was told to involve others! Imagine for a moment what must have went through his mind. What if I imagined that? Who is Simon? Why do I need to see him? Why cant I go to him, where nobody knows me? Why do I have to bring him here? What if . . .
Risk!
Fortunately Cornelius listened to God and took the risk. He sent two of his servants and a miliatry attendant to Joppa to get Peter. Now the story continues that the men went to Joppa got Simon and headed back to Caesarea. Meanwhile, Cornelius gathered all his relatives and close friends together in expectation of what Simon who do/say. You see, I think that is an important part of risk, and that is expectation. But with expectation, brings greater risk! Imagine if Simon was a disappointment? Imagine if he was some kind of freak! Cornelius was exposing his close friends and family to this unknown factor. Most of us would wait, filter Simon, then disapate what occurred to reduce our risk. Not Cornelius. Faith!
I love the encounter when Simon arrives. He says, (slightly paraphrased) “Strange! You guys know that it is unlawful for me, a Jew to associate or visit with a Gentile, or in this case a large group of Gentiles. But God told me the other day that I should not see any of you as unpure or unclean, so when your men came for me, I decided to come. What do you want of me?”
Imagine Cornelius’s thoughts as Simon spoke. First the realization that he is a Jew and should not be there, second that Simon knows and says as much. Then a strange moment as this guy says he heard from God, that it is ok to break the rules. Risk is definitely seeming risky at this point. Then the hammer falls. When Simon asks, What do you want? Imagine Cornelius’s heart sinking and thinking “What! You dont know why your here? I dont know, I thought for sure you would know!”
Then Cornelius says as much, by recanting the story of his vision and then he sums it up, by saying “So we are all hear to listen to what God has told you to tell us!” Wow! Talk about risk! The story goes on that Simon tells them about Jesus and in that process the Holy Spirit comes on all, everyone who heard the message. Then Simon had them baptized and the Christian faith was effectively poured out upon your and my ancestors and the way of Salvation began to be openly preached and taught to Gentiles.
What a great reward for the risk! I owe you Cornelius! Thanks.
So I will conclude today with a couple of questions for you to consider?
What would you do to experience the presence of God?
What would you do to keep your heart/life pure?
What would you do . . .
