The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Originally scheduled for
November 15
Do you
remember Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice in Fantasia? The brooms
carrying the water into a flood? Ask yourself: why did Mickey want that
sorcerer’s hat?
First,
of course, he wanted someone else to do his work. He wanted to kick back and
relax. But more generally he wanted three things:
He
wanted power – to get things done without Mickey doing the work.
He
wanted prestige – think about wearing that hat!
He
wanted pride – think of sending the stars around at your command, the wind and
waves obeying you!
It’s
important to note that the sorcerer wanted the same things – it’s just that he
was better at getting them.
The
Christian gets a very different life. First, there is work to do in the
church, and the Christian does it. At Calvary, Christ did that which we
cannot; but he commands us to do our part, even carrying water. Power, often
in dramatic form, is ours – through God, not our own will. Prestige we will
have, the prestige that comes from “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Pride? It is replaced by humility. It’s a very different lifestyle indeed.
That’s
the choice we have to make. We must choose either the world’s way, and pick up
the wizard’s hat, or Christ’s way, and pick up the servant’s towel. One brings
power, prestige and pride according to our abilities and our chances. The
other brings service, a workman’s reputation and a life of humility.
Perhaps
that doesn’t sound like much of an option, put that way. Remember this:
Christ died on the cross to give you that option. As you eat the bread and
drink the cup, remember the price paid that you might be a servant in heaven,
rather than a wizard in hell.
