Some said Jesus wanted to be first in our lives. There is a problem with this. How do we put this into practice in our lives? Does it have to do with time? Give him the most time? Since we sleep a lot of hours, does that mean sleeping is idolatry? Or does it have to do with priorities? If we brush our teeth early in the morning, does that mean we put our health ahead of God?
Does it have to do with loyalty / allegiance? The Bachelor is a reality TV show from US. One man will shortlist the women until they are down to 1 whom he would propose to. It’s hyped up dramatically especially when the man gave his rose to whom he chose. We see this man telling different women flattering things. Who does he really want? It’s possible to have multiple allegiance. The worship can be a rose giving ceremony. Once we leave the church we may honk someone who overtakes us. We put God the most and the first place BUT we also like this and that. We are no better than the bachelor who gives his roses to many different women.
In 1 Sam 4, the Israelites were attacked by their arch enemy – the Philistines. In 1 Sam 5, the Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant which represented the presence of God. They probably had the idea that the more God the better. “God of the ancients, collect ‘em all!” They took it to the House of Dagon. Who is Dagon? The name could mean grain or rain (or the fish god.) Think about increase and victory, in a word – success. Dagon is the god of success to the Philistines.
Perhaps in a different ways, we are adding Jesus into a crowded house of many gods. We may have many allegiance in our lives. Are we serving the god of success hoping Jesus will give us success or are we really serving Jesus. When we write a worship song, we want to write a successful song sung by many churches.
In Sam 5, we read that the statue of Dagon fell on its face on the next day. The priests put it back into its position. On the following day, it fell again and this time the head and the arms were cut off from the body.
We cannot add Jesus to a list of loyalties. To suggest we want to put Jesus first, we imply that we can put something second, third and so on. Jesus doesn’t want us to put him first and let us do whatever we want. We cannot work on the basis of a list. The Ark that day reshaped Dagon. When we have Jesus as the centre and core of our lives, we must be prepared to shatter some other loyalties. He cares about our family, career, etc. But he wants to reshape these different areas of our lives. This is radical to some as we cannot say we just want to come to church and do nothing else.
Some of us describe our lives as a report card where Jesus is just a category. He is not just a category. He is the centre of our lives directing everything else.
In Eph 4, 5 and 6, we read about how we should treat our children, parents, spouses, bosses and servants. Paul asked us to submit to one another. If Jesus is the centre of our lives, it changes the way we look at our jobs, family, ministry, etc.
Passion for Jesus is like a red shirt in a bundle of white ones in a laundry run. In some cases, it means the death of certain things. It means the end of our selfishness. He means to redefine our definition of success in life.
When we think about why others are doing well and not us, it could be an opportunity for God to smash the Dagons in us.
Putting God first could have come from having no other gods before God. God did not suggest we can have other gods after Him! God rebuked those kings who worshipped idols. David sinned and he is still known as a man after God’s own heart because he did not server other gods.
Another thing that Dagon’s temple show is that we become like what / who we worship. If we are worshipping many different gods, we will become like Dagon, which is smashed. No man can serve two masters, we have to love one and hate another.
Question: what do we do with Jesus that we have received into our hearts? Can we allow Jesus to rearrange furniture in our house and possibly kill several pursuits?
The Philistines wondered what they should do with the Ark of Covenant which they took into their temple. If we have many gods and one fell and shattered, which one would we sent away? Ironically, the Philistines sent away the Ark of Covenant!
The young rich ruler were told to sell all his possessions to give to the poor and follow Jesus. Jesus saw what he cling in his heart. He walked away sad. Never be one to walk away sad!
It doesn’t mean all of us have to give up our day jobs and serve God full time. It does mean, however, to do our jobs differently – stop the bickering, gossiping, etc. To some that may be the case , they are chosen to do God’s work full time.
Can Jesus smash the Dagons in our lives?
Jon 2:8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
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