Day 25 :: Gamble
“After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots.”
Matthew 27:35-36
It seems that wherever there are local shops near us, there’s bookies. Loads of people who love a wee flutter on the horses, or the football or anything. Sadly though, for every person who gets a decent win and is set up for life, there are countless others who end up losing buckets of money. For many it can lead to ruin: bankruptcy, broken relationships, addiction.
A philosopher who died 360 years ago, called Pascal, had a wager too, but probably not at his local William Hill. He argued that each human wagers with either believing God exists or not.
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that he exists.”
Essentially, he reckoned that belief in God was a worthwhile gamble, and it’s an interesting argument. If the Bible is true, then it’s certainly worthwhile putting up with living it out if heaven awaits, and if it’s not true, then there’s nothing really lost.
As Jesus hung on the cross, the soldiers who had nailed him there sat down and gambled for his clothes. Perhaps this was just another day and another crucifixion for them, so they passed the time by having a bit of fun and they’d maybe even come away with some more gear.
They sat at the feet of the cross, but missed what was really going on.
They gambled to see if they could get some benefit from him, but this wasn’t just another criminal.
In a culture where taking a punt is totally normal, I would argue that it truly is no gamble to throw yourself on the mercy of Jesus. There are many uncertainties in life, but the Bible has been tried and tested, and is true.
Jesus’ coming was foretold, and his life fulfilled countless prophecies.
Jesus made exclusive claims that no one else ever will or has.
Jesus defeated death, and plenty witnesses testified to that.
Jesus’ disciples weren’t just taking a gamble when they continued to preach the Gospel in the face of opposition.
All were part of God’s plan for history and salvation.
The soldiers gambling at the foot of the cross had even been prophesied around 600 years earlier by David.
“They divided my garments among themselves,
and they cast lots for my clothing.”
Psalm 22:18
It was no accident that they found themselves there after nailing two criminals and Jesus to crosses. But by sitting gambling for material profit from Jesus, instead of falling at his feet in worship, they were heading for eternal ruin.
Pascal might have reckoned that trusting in God was a bit of a gamble, but the reality is that trusting in Jesus gives solid hope. It’s anything but a gamble.
Do we really believe that the Gospel gives solid hope and security, or do we treat Jesus like a bit of a gamble?
Do we wager with Jesus and hope that if we do something for him, then he’ll give us something we want?
Do we take Jesus’ call to repentance seriously, or do we gamble with sin and think we’ll get away with it?
Life is no gamble, so let’s not mess around. We’re either heading for eternal ruin, or eternal security. Come to the cross and bow in worship at the feet of our Saviour and King, Jesus.
Passages to read: Matthew 27:35-36, Mark 15:24, John 19:23-24
A thought to remember: It is no gamble to hope in Jesus.
A question to ask: How might we treat Jesus like a gamble, hoping we get something from him in return?
A song to sing: Christ Our Hope In Life And Death