David Bahn – Reflections

1 Corinthians 1:28-29

²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

“I’t ain’t braggin’ if it’s true.” Or, so they say. The idea that if we really are something we can tell the truth about it and not be seen as boastful. Muhammad Ali said, “I am the greatest.” The Beatles once claimed that they were more popular than Jesus. Ali may have been a great boxer. The Beatles were quite popular. But there will come a time when they, and all people – great and small – will be silenced. There will come a time when all people stand in the presence of God and will have nothing to boast about – no matter who they are and what they’ve accomplished in this world.

Moses is described in the Bible as the most humble man who ever lived. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He must increase, I must decrease.” Jesus himself emptied himself and became nothing so that we might be redeemed. Henri Nouwen says it well:

Keep your eye on the prince of peace, the one who doesn’t cling to his divine power; the one who refuses to turn stones into bread, jump from great heights, and rule with great power; the one who sayd, “Blessed are the poor, the meek, those who mourn, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: (Mt 5:3-6). Keep your eyes on him who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak, and who is rejected with the rejected. That on, Jesus, is the source of all peace.

You may even be tempted to pad your resume’ a bit in your business dealings. It might be tempting to try to be somebody in the eyes of others. But this fools no one and gives no honor to Christ. Jesus’ call to “let your yes be yes” is not only a call to forgo swearing; it is a call to let the truth carry its own weight in your life.

We need not embellish our accomplishments or make a name for ourselves if our true goal is to love God and our neighbor. We can all the more honor Christ as it becomes clear that we are nothing and Christ is our all in all.

I have seen in person a few famous people. Two I admire most are Itzhak Perlman and Ronald Reagan. Neither one made much of himself, which endeared them to me all the more. Sadly I have known some lessor known people who wanted to make certain that I knew how great they were. But I consider them to be “all hat and no cattle.” Better to be “all Christ and no brag” for there will come a day when no one will boast except in Him. Why not start today?