“I think God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men,” wrote Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth (1Cor. 4:9). Many, many centuries earlier there was another man who was on display to both angels and men. His name was Job. Then there was the Messiah. He too God displayed publicly as a propitiation for our sins (Rom. 3:25). Falsely accused, mocked, insulted, flogged, spat upon, crucified among criminals, our Lord was on public display. Through it all, He was silent like a sheep before its shearers. He did not open His mouth (Isa. 53:7). His response was, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk. 23:34)
When God set apart for Himself the nation of Israel they were to be a display to all the nations. A testimony that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the only true, living God and that He alone was holy and worthy of honour and worship. But then Israel was irreverent. They had profaned the holy name of God among the nations where they went (Eze. 36:21).
Now the epistle to the Hebrews tells us that we have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us (Heb. 12:1). As redeemed children of the Most High God, we too are on display as a spectacle to the seen and unseen world—the angels, demonic spirits and peoples of the world. As a new creation in Christ Jesus, can we be recognized as those who no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again on our behalf (2Cor. 5:15)? Did not our Lord Himself say, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16)?
Can God say of us, as He did of Job, “Have you considered my servant?” Can God say to all the witnesses that surround us: “There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job. 1:8)? Can He announce before all, “This is my son in whom I am well-pleased” (Mt. 3:17)?
When God spoke this word to my heart, I was at that time battling with thoughts of anger and hurt. Someone had just spoken words that were rude and unpleasant. My natural response was to react. I wanted to have the ‘last word’. I wanted to placate my hurt ego with counter remarks. It was then that God reminded me that I am on display. As a new creation in Jesus, I am as an exhibit to those in heaven and on earth—an exhibit to the glory of God’s name. I have on numerous occasions been tempted to grumble, complain and murmur. Each time I was reminded that a grumbler does not glorify God. Despite so-called inconveniences, can I use such circumstances to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Php. 4:4)? Can this not be an opportunity to proclaim with praise and thanksgiving that my God is in control and that His banner over me is love? Will He allow me to go through something that is beyond my ability to bear (1Cor. 10:13)? Will He not give me the grace to overcome? There have been untold number of times when I have been tempted to be afraid or anxious. Have we not all? Yet each time I was reminded that my God is on the throne. There is nothing and no one that can harm me. I am safe in the arms of my Father. This display of trust honours God. He is exalted before a huge cloud of witnesses.
It is not surprising therefore that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews immediately encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:2). In addition, it is Jesus who understands our weaknesses for He Himself was tempted just as we are, yet was without sin (Heb. 4:15). He is our faithful High Priest who is ever able to save those who draw near to Him (Heb. 7:25). Let us therefore use each opportunity that presents itself every day to recognize that we have been called with a great and glorious calling (1Pet. 2:9)—a calling where as a sanctified new creature in Christ Jesus we can honour God—displaying faith and trust and sincerity and obedience to our God before a great cloud of witnesses.
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