The 2012 film adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit tells the story of a band of dwarves seeking to recapture their lost mountain kingdom from an evil dragon.
As Thorin, the dwarf king, lays out his plan to reclaim the long-lost kingdom, an older dwarf named Balin speaks the following discouraging words: “What are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toymakers—hardly the stuff of legend.”
Discouraged Christians can sometimes think similar things. What are we? Salesmen, waitresses, mechanics, college students—hardly the stuff of legend. But is this how we should see ourselves? Is this how God views us?
According to Jesus, we’re His “witnesses,” entrusted with an all-important task. He said to His disciples, “You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). What is it that we’re to proclaim? That Jesus is the world’s true King! (Acts 1:6). He’s alive, at work, and establishing His rule on earth as it is in heaven.
What does the rule of Jesus on earth mean today? One thing is certain: Jesus intends to reign through people, as God originally planned. God intended to govern the world through His image bearers (Genesis 1:26-30). And Jesus came to rescue and restore this original, “legendary” calling and vocation.
Thorin’s first challenge was to help his fellow dwarves understand that they were much more than merchants, miners, tinkers, and toymakers. They were co-laborers of the king. And we, as believers in Jesus, hail Him as King. As His forgiven and restored image bearers, we shouldn’t be simply standing around. Instead we must actively do His kingdom work (Acts 1:11).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 14:5-45
More:
Read Ephesians 4:12 and note what Paul said about the vital work that church leaders have been called to do.
Next:
How is God calling you to be a part of Jesus’ rule on earth as it is in heaven? Read through the gospel accounts with an eye for how Jesus brought heaven to earth.
Wayne on February 20, 2014 at 5:10 am
We need to be ready to be used by The Lord, read the word, pray & seek his will. He uses us all different. Pray for situation you can share what Jesus has done for you . Praise The Lord !
Wayne
Gary Shultz on February 20, 2014 at 6:31 am
And we shall be even more………Sons of the King
Tom Felten on February 20, 2014 at 9:03 am
Yes, and as Paul wrote, we are His ambassadors—revealing Him to the world! (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Jeff Olson on February 20, 2014 at 10:33 am
Amen brothers…Nothing is more important and meaningful than to be a faithful witness through our words and actions that through Jesus, redemption from sin and death has come and His new creation rule has begun!
Winn Collier on March 4, 2014 at 8:56 am
every common task, common labor, common love — all caught up in God’s redemption. good news.