What is Success?

In my reading of the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, I notice many of the same character traits reappear in the New Testament.  Seems as though people are basically the same whenever, wherever we find them.  The same character faults seem to carry on through the ages.  Although, we now live in a high tech society, people are still chasing the same dreams and have the same ambitions as those of our ancestors.  Not all bad of course.

My theme for this blog is about “Success”. This can be viewed as a desirable trait as well as negative, depending on how one views success. Success is often measured in achievement; either what we ourselves have accomplished or that somehow “fate” has been kind to us. “Hey I just won the lottery!!! “ Is that success?  You might agree that it certainly is.  I would never have to work, I could help my family and friends, plus live a life of luxury and easy living….. although not necessarily in that order.

When reading the scriptures, I find the philosophy of the early cultures (now as well) was that rewards were meted out to certain people dependent upon their obedience to God. Of course God does want obedience. However, obedience is the result of love and reverence for God.  It is a matter of the heart…we love the Lord first and others as ourselves.

The twelve apostles of the Lord felt the same. They had traveled with Jeshua (Jesus), studied with Him as their rabbi, had  given up their professions, and were devoting three years of life away from family and friends, to follow their Messiah.  Surely there would be rewards for their faithfulness.  They hoped to achieve a bit of success in His Kingdom.  It was surely to come soon and they would be given places of honor.    Success was coming their way and they would walk in the honor parade!!

Jeshua told them on several occasions about His coming death, and resurrection. In their minds this meant that the restored Kingdom of God would come at last.  What had been destroyed by disobedience would now be replaced by the new and reclaimed Kingdom, where Jesus would reign as King and they of course would have places of honor.  He would reestablish the Jewish nation again… abolishing the hated Romans and bringing eternal bliss.  They would be judged according to their faithfulness.

Jeshua and His band are approaching Jerusalem, a few days before the joyous celebration of Passover. The Master takes His chosen Twelve aside to tell them for the third and final time how the story will unfold.”See we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over the chief priests and the scribes and they will condemn him to death , then they will hand him over to the Gentiles, they will mock him and spit upon him and kill, him and in three days he will rise again “ (Mark 10:33-34).

The apostles struggle with this information….James and John ask a favor. They requested special places of prominence in the New Kingdom. All the disciples are vying for places of honor.  That’s the way the world thinks. They expected the New Kingdom to happen soon after His Resurrection.  However, Jesus answers with these words, “Whoever desires to be great among you will be your servant and whoever desires to be foremost will be a slave to all.”  Really..???  How does that work?  “Take up your cross and follow me.”  Isn’t that asking a bit much?  But, in fact He is telling us that life isn’t easy for the believer. We are to put aside our own desires for success as the world views success. It boils down to this. We are to serve others ahead of ourselves.

Success, like money is neutral…..neither good or bad in itself. It can be used in good or bad ways. The real value of success depends on the value of the goal, or desire, by which we measure it.  Jesus zeros in on success in his statement to the men ….to help them and us.  We are to redirect our natural desires about ourselves toward helping others. The goal is not elimination of self, as in eastern religions, but thinking less of self with our desires and more of service toward others empowered by the love of God.

Yes, on His second coming, Jesus will be bringing a New Kingdom. That’s part of the good news of the Gospel. Not only have our sins been forgiven but we will be invited into the New Kingdom as believers.  “There will be a new heaven a new earth. for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” (Rev. 21:1)  At one point in His life, Jesus himself stated that he did not know the day or hour when He would be returning but He will return!!

His final words to His disciples also must challenge us as well. Jesus teaches us that real success is not only about transcending personal desires, but giving of ourselves to helping others. This is the cost of our discipleship.……….and at some point might mean  our lives as well.  Are you and I up to the task?