Sunday, October 5, 2003
Sunday, October 5, 2003
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to
the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by
the Holy Spirit sent from heaven things into which angels long to look!
"So God," writes Spencer, "in his abundant goodness, to make us know what glory there is in
heaven, hath thrown some husks to us here in this world, that so, tasting the sweetness thereof,
we might aspire to his bounty that is above, and draw out this happy conclusion to the great
comfort of our precious souls--that if a little earthly glory do so much amaze us, what will the
heavenly do? If there be such glory in God's footstool, what is there in his throne? If he give us so
much in the land of our pilgrimage, what will he not give us in our own country? If He bestoweth
so much on his enemies, what will he not give to his friends?" Perhaps this is the reason for
God's extravagance. He wants to prepare us for the greater extravagance of Heaven.
(1 Peter 1.12
NRSV)
Generations ago John Spencer offered an interesting theory. He noted that the Jewish rabbis
taught that when Joseph, in the times of plenty, had gathered much corn in Egypt, he threw the
chaff into the river Nile. His purpose was to convey by means of the flowing river to cities and
nations more remote the good news of the abundance laid up, not for themselves alone, but for
others also.
Loving God, may I always look forward to serving you here and in heaven. Amen.
