Royal Crown

It is hard to imagine that Royal Crown Cola can still survive against the likes of Coke and Pepsi, but somehow they do. I remember as a kid Royal Crown Cola and Diet Rite were the drinks. In fact, I believe, Diet Rite, may have been the first diet soda on the market. If you've ever had one you know it has a taste like no other cola drink. Nevertheless, it found its niche and has survived.

The idea of "crowns" in the New Testament continues to survive as well. In fact, it was part of a recent on line discussion I had with a few friends of mine. The focus was primarily on the idea of five different crowns being noted in the New Testament: crown of righteousness (2Tim 4:8), crown of life (James 1:12), crown of glory (1Peter 5:4), crown of rejoicing (1Thes. 2:19), and the incorruptible crown (1Cor. 9:25). My question to my friends, both pastors and PhD's, was whether or not these were five separate crowns for five different references to the same crown.

Well, as you might imagine, there was not a definitive consensus but the trend was toward five different references to the same crown. Which seems most appropriate to Scripture and to the vision that John has in Revelation, since the twenty-four elders are said to simply have "golden crowns" (4:4). Not several crowns. In addition, they don't seem to be wearing them anyway, but casting them before the throne of God (4:10), twenty-four seven. So it really becomes irrelevant in many respects.

Now - what I find interesting about this crown business, is that it would capture my attention. We all like "rewards" or recognition whether it is in the form of an "atta-boy" or a tangible reward such as a crown. I am no different. Some folks are collectors of rewards, they display them on their walls, around their necks, in their driveways, etc. So the idea of multiple crowns is appealing. The more the better. But our goal as Christians is not "How can I get more crowns than you". Our goal is "how can I serve you?"

If there were a "crown of servanthood" in that list of crowns, then I might say, yes we are talking about separate crowns. But there is not. Being a servant for the cause of Christ is sometimes like being the Royal Crown Cola of the soft drink industry, it's not very glamorous. It is not everyone's first choice. But it is the one  "royal crown" of every true disciple of Christ.  Perhaps that should be our focus.