Title: The Unfading Crown
Contents
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1. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners;
2. Declare the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, comforting all who mourn,
3. All those who mourn in Zion will be given wreaths for their ashes, the oil of joy for their sorrows, and the garments of praise for their sorrows; to get it
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1. I exhort the elders among you, I am a fellow elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory that will be revealed.
2. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God, not for filthy gain, but willingly.
3. Do not take a position of claiming over those in charge, but be an example to the flock
4. Then you will receive the crown of glory that will not fade when the Chief Shepherd appears.
Content
Title: The Unfading Crown
Text: Isaiah 61:1-3, 1 Peter 5:1-4
The crown was the highest honor given to the winner of an athletic event. The first ancient Olympics in B.C. 778 is the beginning. The Olympic Games were held in front of the god Zeus, worshiped by the Athenians in Olympus, the mountain of the Greek gods. It was the crown that placed the crown of olives made from the leaves of the olive tree in the sanctuary where the temple of Zeus was located, meaning ‘son of God’ for the winner. Since it is made of leaves, it will wither over time. It is also the same principle that the country's hospitality as a hero fades with time. All fame or glory in the world has the same attribute. It makes me think about the finiteness of its value and effect. It is a story that makes you think about how difficult it is to go down as much as to climb a mountain top.
Nevertheless, the crown symbolizes the highest honor and authority. Both the Old and New Testaments have the same meaning. In the vision revealed in the book of Revelation, there are 24 thrones beside him who is seated on the throne. Those who sit on the throne are wearing golden crowns (Rev 4:4). It is a crown that speaks of the highest honor and glory. That's why there is a saying, 'No cross, no crown'. What kind of reaction do you have when you hear the word “crown” while reading and listening to God’s Word? Do you feel humbly (?) ‘It has nothing to do with me’ (?)? Or do you have a different reaction? How is God likely to be pleased with our response? It is necessary to meditate on the relevant Word and think about it. How will God be pleased with our response to the crown?
Today's New Testament text (1 Peter 5:1-4) speaks of a 'crown that will not wither'. Depending on the material of the crown, the rate or degree of withering varies. Including olive trees, pine leaves and parsley were used instead. Unlike ivy leaves, the ‘crown made of amaranth’ was the longest lasting crown. This flower does not wither very well, and even if it withers, it will come back to life even with a little moisture. So it symbolized immortality. This is the meaning of the unfading 'crown of glory' that the New Testament text speaks of today (1 Peter 5:4). ‘Crown of righteousness’ (2 Tim. 4:8) and ‘crown of life’ (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) have the same meaning. What should be our attitude toward these crowns as recorded in the Word of God?