This year’s winter games, the 22nd second such event, was hosted in Sochi, Russia. The formerly broken-down town near the Black Sea was transformed into a high-tech athletic venue for the world to play at, visit and be entertained by.
When the ice chips all settled, it was the home team, Russia, that came out on top with the most medals won. They likewise earned more of the highly sought after gold ones than any nation, including America, who came in second overall. The golden variety of hardware is so special as to really be in its own unique category regardless of what anyone says to the contrary.
After a heart-breaking defeat by Canada, some of the women’s U.S. hockey team members actually had tears in their eyes while on the award ceremony platform. A few may have been from joy, but others were likely due to the fact that they were receiving "only" silver. And perhaps it takes the heart of a true athlete to grasp how coming in second in the entire world can be viewed as a failure.
Olympic gold is very special. It brings instant and often long-term fame. It also has the potential, depending on the sport, of bringing a degree of wealth. Those who own it are in a very rare and exclusive club because gold is, after all, gold. No more needs be said. In sport, it signifies the very pinnacle of victory.
But with the passing of the games, the focus on gold returns to normal. It reverts back to being a precious metal and one that is the foundation of many major monetary systems. Those who desire the most stable investment possible are told to buy as much of it as they can and to hold onto it as long as they can. It represents the highest standard of standards.
With that being the case, it is quite significant that the Bible often cites this same valuable and trusted commodity as having a limited value and fading duration when compared to something far greater. This higher caliber substance is spoken of in 1 Peter 1:18-19. The writer is speaking to reborn Christian readers when he writes, “ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Earlier in the same chapter, the temporary nature and worth of gold is also mentioned - this time relating to the post-salvation experience. Verses 6-7 read, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes."
Every Olympic gold medal can have an exact earthly value attached when all is said and done. This will include the actual cost of $600, the $25,000 winner’s bonus, and whatever related income that arises along the way. Perhaps some will have the "thrill of victory" by being paid to place their photo on a Wheaties cereal box. But it can be all totaled up and reveal a precise numerical worth down to the penny.
But no such thing is true about the current and eternal values associated with redemption provided through Jesus Christ's pure and sacrificial blood. If there is such a thing as being "beyond priceless" this would be it. This is God’s "gold standard". This is the only thing that will allow former sinners to become forgiven saints. And this is what will allows Christians to someday forever walk the heavenly streets of gold described in Revelation 21. Those who will reside in this most enviable and blessed place will do so because, in their hearts through faith, they did not value most the things of this world but on what the hymn-writer penned almost a century ago.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hands;
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name;
Bill Breckenridge
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