Zoo Stories
Hi.
I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo this past weekend. It is a very remarkable zoo. Humans are allowed to get much closer to the animals than I have seen at other zoos. The giraffe exhibit is amazing. For $1 you get four crackers that you can hand-feed to the giraffes. As you walk along an elevated walkway, they simply approach you, some even allowing you to pet them. (On most days, the giraffes are visible on this camera: < http://www.cmzoo.org/zoocam.html>.)
As I walked along looking at animals, I thought of the animals’ background. Where did these animals come from? Were they born in this zoo? Were they born in another zoo? Were they born somewhere across the planet and crated over here? Some of the animals look happy. Some look sad. Some are alone while others have companions. It would be fascinating to learn about these specific animals and their histories. It would be even more fascinating (not to mention miraculous) for the animals to actually tell their own story. Each animal in that zoo (or your local zoo, for that matter) has a unique story about their past. If they could talk, they might tell you where they were born, what their early childhood was like, who their parents were, and perhaps even some goals for the future. But the most astounding part of their story – both for them to tell and for you to hear – would be the part when they tell you about how they got to the zoo – the greatest transformation of their life. They may have been captured or rescued. They may have been shipped awake or asleep. They may have gotten sick. But their description of their new environment – their new world – would be the most amazing part of their story.
I have told you about three of Paul’s five “trustworthy sayings” over the past few weeks. The fourth is in 1 Timothy 1:15-17.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
In these verses we read about Paul’s story. Like the talking zoo animals above, Paul’s story is unique and powerful. His story has been used to introduce countless people to Jesus over the past two thousand years. Paul’s story has many interesting facets. In verse 13 he tells us that he was a blasphemer, a persecutor and an insolent opponent. But the single most important part of his story is the time when he met Jesus. (If you would like to read Paul’s story, read chapters 9, 22, and 26 of the book of Acts.) That radically changed his life, as you can imagine living in a zoo would change a wild tiger’s life.
Paul makes it clear that the reason Jesus came to earth was to save sinners. If you are reading through Matthew, you have read chapter 9. In verse 12-13, Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” If Jesus’ primary purpose was to save sinners, what does that mean for me?
Paul also makes it clear that he considers himself to be the foremost sinner. The Greek here literally means, “first in rank.” Paul thought of himself as the highest ranking sinner. This is not forced humility on Paul’s part, but honesty. Paul honestly believes that he has offended God more than anyone else. It would be good for us to consider ourselves the most offensive sinner ever. It is detrimental for us to compare our sins and our past with those around us. Look back on your life and compare it to the flawless perfection that is Jesus. Put yourself in the same boat as Paul. Consider yourself the foremost. The chief of sinners.
Please do NOT stop there! In verse 16, Paul explains what to do next – he takes his story and with God’s mercy, Jesus Christ displays His perfect patience in Paul’s life. Paul uses his example for others. Paul is saying here that he takes the story of his life – from being the highest ranking sinner to being enveloped by Jesus, transformed by Jesus, saved by Jesus – and uses it as an example to those who were to believe in Jesus for eternal life.
I encourage you to take a look back at your life. Perhaps you have not looked back on it for a while. Perhaps you do not like looking back on your past. But look back and reflect on your past – your offensive, sinful past. Then reflect on the most important part of your past – the moment when you were redeemed by Jesus Christ. Pause for a moment and thank God for saving you – read verse 17 as a prayer – as a praise to Him. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Right on!
Now look to your future. Not to five years down the road, but to next week. Next weekend. Tomorrow. Tonight. How can God use your story to display the perfect patience of Jesus to those who will believe in Him for eternal life? Are you ready to be used? It is true that Paul was a tireless missionary, a passionate preacher and an inspired author. The most useful tool of his, though, was his story. The cool thing is that each of us have a story. We may not all be missionaries or preachers or authors. But we all have a story. Are you ready to tell it? Go and tell it!
-z
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