In every field of endeavor, one award is considered the epitome of recognition and success. An Olympic gold medal, a Grammy, an Academy Award, or a Nobel Prize are among âthe big ones.â But there is a greater prize that anyone can obtain.
The apostle Paul was familiar with first-century athletic games in which competitors gave their full effort to win the prize. With that in mind, he wrote to a group of followers of Christ in Philippi: âWhatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christâ (Phil. 3:7). Why? Because his heart had embraced a new goal: âI want to know Christâyes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferingsâ (v. 10). And so, Paul said, âI press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of meâ (v. 12). His trophy for completing the race would be the âcrown of righteousnessâ (2 Tim. 4:8).
Each of us can aim for that same prize, knowing that we honor the Lord in pursuing it. Every day, in our ordinary duties, we are moving toward âthe big oneâââthe heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling usâ (Phil. 3:14 nlt).
Paulâs letter to the church at Philippi is one of warmth and affection, perhaps rooted in his founding of this congregationâthe first church planted in Europe. While presenting the theme of joy, the letter to the Philippians also focuses on Paulâs care for them (1:3-4), the matchless person of Christ (2:5-11), and the need for unity (4:2-3). Todayâs Bible reading (3:7-14) draws our attention to the âsurpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lordâ (v. 8) and the impact that knowledge should have on our living.