What Have We Got?

Comedian, film, and television star Groucho Marx, famous for his quick wit, once said, “I’m not crazy about reality, but it’s still the only place to get a decent meal.”

A California realtor once persuaded the famed comedian to inspect a palatial ocean-front estate that was for sale. The realtor drove Groucho up the mile-long, beautifully landscaped approach. He escorted him through the house, the stables, the gardens, the kennels, demonstrating the many beautiful features of the dream palace by the sea. Groucho patiently plodded after him, nodding sternly from time to time, apparently much impressed. Finally, he was ushered out on the flagstone terrace as the salesman waved proudly toward the broad expanse of the Pacific. “Now, what do you think?” he challenged. “I don’t care for it,” replied Groucho. “Take away the ocean, and now what have you got?”

The story becomes a parable on the actual value of our Christian discipleship. We may know the Bible from cover to cover. We…