Paul writes this in Philippians 3:20-21: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
Pretty good news. Especially in light of verses 18-19: “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you, even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”
This brings high priest Caiaphas to mind. When Jesus lived on earth, Caiaphas was the alpha dog of the Jews. Sure there was King Herod, but King Herod was entirely subject to Roman rule. In many ways, he was king in name only. Kind of like a toddler wearing Superman pajamas. Yeah, you’re not really Superman. Lex Luthor could dismantle you just by taking away your pacifier.
Caiaphas held power over the Jews because of religious loyalty. The Romans were wise enough to know they could never force the Jews to desert their religion. Therefore, Rome sought cooperation with Caiaphas.
That placed Caiaphas in the power pocket. All Jews were subject to him. His words carried unquestionable weight. He didn’t enjoy royal luxury, but his position provided ample material blessings. Caiphas was the epitome of having your cake and eating it too.
Jesus threatened Caiaphas’ entire lifestyle. Therefore, Jesus had to be dealt with. Caiaphas is the poster child for Philippians 3:18-19.
Obviously, Caiaphas positioned himself as “…an enemy of the cross of Christ.” The man had the power to stop the crucifixion, and he chose not to. Why? Because Caiaphas’ god was his ‘appetite,’ as described in verse 19. The man had it made. Likely, he desired even more, and Jesus stood in the way.
The glory mentioned in verse 19 certainly belonged to Caiaphas. Well done, Caiaphas! You reached ‘glory.’ Except Paul adds a qualifier. He states ‘…whose glory is in their shame.” The irony of God strikes again. Caiaphas believes he’s in the height of his glory. However, the pinnacle event in his life—the crucifixion of God Himself—results in his darkest shame.
His appetite fueled his growing glory, which turned into his condemning shame. Was he blind? The end of verse 19 describes his situation: “…who set their minds on earthly things.” Caiaphas wasn’t blind; his pinpoint focus was only on this life, not the life to come.
This establishes the key difference between believers and non-believers. Non-believers are consumed with this life entirely. They tend to see this life in a sort of ‘grab all you can’ mindset. Truly, their god is their appetite, which is always insatiable. They hope earthly things will satisfy their appetites. It never happens, of course.
All of us, believers or not, can relate to that. Who hasn’t dreamed of creating a life in which he lives in a mansion with a heart-shaped swimming pool? Or having the financial means to own anything he wants? If you want to own an island, snap your fingers.
Yet, we believers must dwell in verses 20-21. Our most important citizenship is ultimately established in heaven. Through our faith, we eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus, who will establish His kingdom forever.
At that point, He will gloriously transform our bodies into eternal life forever. Paul powerfully describes this in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
If we lived in Caiaphas’ neighborhood, we may have been prone to jealousy. After all, from a worldly perspective, he had everything. We would be tempted to pattern our lives after his. To our own doom.
Far better for us believers to focus on the life to come. The glory we receive then is ours forever. Let’s wait patiently for the best glorification to become our reality.