Years ago, Dr. Arlie Hoover spoke at the chapel at the Missions Seminar at ACU. He used an illustration from Søren Kierkegaard that really stayed with me. I’ve tried for years to find the original citation, but have not been able to find it.
Anyway, the illustration goes something like this: A thief broke into a store at night. Instead of stealing anything, however, he merely changed the prices. What was expensive became cheap; what was inexpensive became costly.
That, Kierkegaard said, is exactly what Jesus did. He came and changed all the world’s priorities. First shall be last. Blessed are the poor, woe are the rich. Give up your life to gain it. Suffer to be glorified. The lion is a lamb. The victory is won through death.
I guess you can see why that illustration has stayed with me.
Great point Sir, thanks for the thought. A reminder that the world’s priorities are not in tune with Kingdom priorities.
Nice!
Tim,
I’ve heard this numerous times through the years but didn’t realize it was Soren’s. My favorite of his – a clown in the theater announcing a fire.
Interestingly enough, I was just reminded yesterday that THAT story was by Kierkegaard. The man knew how to make an illustration.