As he neared the end of his life, Paul offered this statement of past-reflection and future-hope:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.(2 Timothy 4:7-8)
What’s your big takeaway from that? I think many people read those words and immediately think: “Oh boy I can’t wait till I get my crown!” And yet, the crown Paul was talking about–the crown that he was soon to put on and which Christians will receive at the end of their days–doesn’t look like this:
Don’t be so worldly! Why should we, servants in the house of God, expect to receive a sparkling, gem-studded crown? No: The crown that Paul was talking about looked like this:
That’s the crown given to the winners of the Olympic Games. Those who won their fight or who finished their race were rewarded with a victory crown. It was a wreath that symbolized a great accomplishment. That’s our crown, and what a splendid one it is! But for some, who have silver and gold on their minds, that crown might be too modest and un-spectacular. If so, let me remind you of the crown your Master and King wore:
He wore that crown. It was not made of fine gold, nor was it a symbol of honor. His was a crown of shame, and He wore it so you wouldn’t have to.
~ Matthew