Jesus Our Standard
In the sixth century, most of the world lacked a reliable standard of measurement. Townships in Germany, for example, were advised to take the average length of the left foot of sixteen men to determine a “foot.”
The thirty-six inch “yard” comes down to us from King Henry I of England. The king established a yard to be the length from the tip of his nose to the end of his right arm, and decreed it would be the universal standard by which everything else in the kingdom would be measured.
This decree of standardization effectually transformed every act of measurement in the kingdom into an acknowledgment of his reign.
We acknowledge the reign of Jesus as King every time we allow him to be the standard by which we measure what is good and right and true.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2, ESV).
"Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge" (Romans 3:4, NIV).
The Leaning Tower of San Francisco
Melia Robinson, with Business Insider, reports:
Millennium Tower is a luxury residential high-rise that has sunk 17 inches and tilted 14 inches since it was completed in 2008. Though an inspection by the city showed it's safe to occupy, the situation has sparked an exodus from the building. Residents say they're selling multimillion-dollar condos at a loss, with the value of their homes tumbling $320,000 on average.
... One disgruntled resident told producers that with so many lawyers involved, it takes the court 30 minutes just to take attendance during legal proceedings.
... Some critics blame the city of San Francisco for allowing Millennium Partners to anchor the building 80 feet into packed sand rather than 200 feet down to bedrock.
... Residents now say they are "stuck with nearly worthless condos," according to NBC Bay Area.
... As Millennium Tower keeps on sinking, its fate remains unclear.
Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash” (Matthew 7:24-27, NLT).
There’s nothing unclear about Jesus forecast for those who choose to build their lives on sand rather than solid rock. Apparently, the ancient principle still holds true, even in this modern age. And so does the application that He gave to it. Trust in His teaching is the bedrock on which we must build our lives. Otherwise, all that we purpose to do in the New Year is certain to sink, tilt and collapse.
Expanding Souls Encounter An Expanding Christ
In a scene from C. S. Lewis’ spiritual allegory, The Chronicles of Narnia, a young girl named Lucy is sent on a great mission by the Christ figure, Aslan, the lion. As she travels by night, she notices the great beast sitting on a hill, illumined by a full moon. Excitedly, Lucy runs to him and throws herself into his soft, silky mane. Aslan rolls over, and Lucy finds herself laying between his paws, looking up into his large face.
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” says Lucy.
The majestic creature answers, “That is because you are older, little one.”
Lucy, confused by this remark, asks, “Not because you are?”
Aslan assures her, “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
With intentional irony, Lewis was suggesting that as we mature in our faith, the object of our devotion appears to grow along with us. This happens not because Christ has changed, but because our consciousness of Him has expanded. As R. Kent Hughes suggests, “Expanding souls encounter an expanding Christ.” Thus, Aslan only appeared to be bigger to Lucy. The real change had taken place within her.
So it is with every devoted follower of Christ. Just like Lucy, we all live with a disparity between the way we see God and the way He really is. This gap begins to narrow over time as we practice the appropriate devotion. The more we learn of God on this journey, the bigger He becomes to us.
"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).