Whose Inscription Is It?

 

 

Jesus - The Example

Of how to interact with our culture - he asks, "Whose inscription is on the coin?"
Whose face and name does it bear, and to whom does it belong - whose kingdom?

Setting aside the kingdom theology questions for a moment, we can at least say that Jesus had been speaking about another kingdom that was near, or coming, and he stood for that kingdom.

To interact with the culture - we mean to ask first of all - to whom does this or another thing belong - whose mark or inscription do we find written upon it.

Is it Caesar's?  Where are the ultimate allegiances of these cultural goods - what would their inscription be?

This question is not merely a matter of branding or ownership of the cultural product.  Nike is grossing $$ yearly - on average - their CEO, owner __ Smith.
Facts and figures do not tell us what we are looking for, although the brand stands for something, we might need to look at the ads to tell us something about what is the "real" - the spiritual - idyllic or idol being sold and bought for huge amounts of money...

The apostle Paul distinguished himself from the counterfeit apostles by his own personal suffering "with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death." and evidence of God's miracles, "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works" ESV 1 Corinthians 11,12.

He is defending himself to the church - Christians who had begun listening to the "easier, softer gospel" - the one that didn't include suffering.

My friend mentioned to me today that he only does things that benefit himself, and that's why he has chosen to follow God.  That's right, I thought -- if I am a Christian, I am doing only what is my best interest -- for example, when I 'lay down my life' I receive true life from Christ this may be painful, initially, however, it is much more satisfying to have true life with this cost.

Apart from rational arguments to follow Jesus, we also have the pathos of the story that if God became a man to redeem man through suffering on the cross, because "God so loved the world, he sent his son, that whoever believes will not perish, but have eternal life."

The same Mount Sinai God is still powerful.  To bear his mark, to be his follower is to bear the truth and to suffer following Him.  Is this scary? Yes.  But you belong to God - is there another you would rather belong to and follow?