From Mark Batterson:
“He risked his life for the work of Christ.”
What a commendation by the Apostle Paul speaking of Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:30. That Greek verb for risk, parabouleuomai, can be translated: “to play the gambler.” And it’s that word and the example set by Ephaphroditus that inspired the Parabolani Brotherhood, aka the Gamblers. They gambled their lives by exposing themselves to contagious diseases and caring for the sick during the plagues.
Gambler for Christ. I like that terminology. I think it has an edge to it. And I think it’s a reminder of our calling. While soldiers gambled for his clothing, Christ gambled his life on the cross for yours. And he didn’t die just to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. What are you gambling for Christ?
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great stuff this week!
Thanks for reading, Matt. See you on One Question Friday tomorrow.
With the deepest humility, knowing that 99.9% of the time you do great things here, brother:
In the second Batterson is way off track: “Christ gambled his life on the cross for yours”????
Christ did not die for my potential Salvation. My name was already written in the Book of Life at the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8 is one reference)
Christ did not “Gamble” his life for some possibility that maybe someone would hopefully come to know Him. He knew that “Jedi” needed a Savior because Jedi was going to be so sinful that only his death would provide payment.
Batterson just turned the all-powerful Creator of the Universe into a washed up slot player at an all you can eat shrimp buffet on the Strip.
Jedi – First of all, thanks for reading. And, I think you’re right – I don’t believe it was a “gamble” in the sense you’re talking about. Not a gamble at all.
There is another sense, though, in which Christ Himself acted in faith. Now that’s another can of worms, about exactly when Jesus fully understood who He is and all that, but the point is that He trusted in the plan of the Father. That was not a gamble in the sense that He knew the plans of God – His own plans, as a matter of fact – to be absolutely trustworthy. And yet at the same time, He wrestled in prayer the night before. This is very mysterious.
Regardless, I appreciate you calling attention to anything that might diminish the cross – certainly not my attempt to do that at all.