646. Summarizing the Scripture (Part 17): Summarizing the Series: Adam Fell; Jesus Rose
The Lord Has Spoken
A favorite scene in the popular movie Forrest Gump shows Forrest running and a crowd following him. He has been running for two years and not saying a word. He stops, and the following crowd can’t wait to hear his profound first words. After the breathless pause, he says, “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now."
Not the profundity they were expecting! When people, whom we deem significant, finally speak we long to hear what they say. Who is the most significant person in the universe? Of course, it is God himself. When he speaks, something happens.
He spoke, and creation came into existence. He spoke to Moses, and Israel as a covenant people came into existence. He spoke fully by sending Jesus as the Word of God to reveal his thoughts in a way that any hearing heart could understand.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed he heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. -- Hebrews 1:1-2
Jesus, Lord Over All
Jesus has been made Lord over all (Acts 2:36), and his words carry the weight of sovereignty. Contrary to current fantasies, everyone's words do not have the same weight of truth. Jesus is truth, and all his words are true. As he closes out the most famous sermon ever preached, he said,
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. -- Matthew 7:24-27
The significance of this declaration was that Jesus was differentiating between his interpretation of truth and that which the religious leaders had called the word of God. Even today, Bible verses interpreted without the aid of Jesus, the living Word, are a form of manmade religion, and they can be very dangerous.
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The Foundation of Truth
The cosmic battle has always been about the truth of what God says. The serpent challenged God's word to Adam and Eve. Pagan religions denied the word of God as it was given to Israel. Herod tried to stop the word of God from being fulfilled by killing the young boys when Jesus was born. The Pharisees had replaced the word of God with their own traditions.
Jesus told a parable about his kingdom in terms of sowing seed, and it revealed the various responses to the word of God. The devil stole some of the seeds. Some were scorched by persecution. Some were choked by the busyness of daily life. Some fell on good soil and produced fruit -- the same fruit as the wise man who built on the rock. It is a clear teaching of scripture that the words of the Lord are essential.
We can reject them in favor of some other opinion. Or we can neglect them by refusing to take advantage of their availability. Either way, we lose. Neglect has the same effect as rejection in this case. The word does not produce life.
A house built on anything but the rock-solid truth of God's word revealed in Jesus is going to fall at some point.
The original Liar is actively replacing God's truth with lies. These lies that replace the word will produce death. One of the most prominent lies is that we can ignore the words of the Lord and still succeed in his creation. But his words don't fail.
A house built on anything but the rock-solid truth of God's word revealed in Jesus is going to fall at some point. The rain will come. The winds will blow. The house will fall. Whether it is one's personal life, the family, the business, the church, or the government -- it will not stand.
Listening to the Lord
God has shown his mercy in giving us his word and the promised power to align with it. Rejecting his mercy is serious. He will continue to love the fallen as a Father cares for his children, and there is no pit too deep that he can't deliver, but there are consequences that follow foolishness -- which cause pain to many.
It is not a light thing when a person or a society rejects or neglects the word of God. Mocking Jesus and his words might seem to be funny on late-night talk shows, but there are rains coming to reveal the foolishness of such.
But there is great promise to those who hear and embrace the word of the sovereign Lord. A house built on that solid foundation will withstand whatever comes against it. It will be productive as the seed of the word grows. Since Jesus is Lord, we should listen to his word and be eager to make it a priority to implement it in every aspect of our lives.
Jesus is lord -- and he has spoken! What he says is profound. Listen. Hear. Build your house on it.
The Dangerous Confession
When I was a teenager the big question at church youth camp was whether it was possible to know Jesus as Savior and not as Lord. Many of us wanted the assurance that we were "saved" from the penalty of our sins, but we weren't sure we wanted Jesus to be the Lord (Boss) of our lives. Little did we know how dangerous it is to confess Jesus as Lord.
The first gospel sermon after Jesus' ascension was proclaimed by Peter who spoke at the Pentecost event. Extraordinary signs were taking place and some were accusing Jesus’ disciples of being drunk at 9:00 AM.
Peter explained that the same Jesus the crowds had known as a man from Nazareth, who had taught and done many miracles, was now sitting at the right hand of the Father as Lord over all His kingdom. He had lived a perfectly obedient life; died as the sacrifice for sins; been resurrected from the grave; and now was both the Lord and the Christ. The signs were evidence of the gift of the Spirit that the King was sending to His people.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. -- Acts 2:36
That was a subversive confession at that time. Rome was the ruling authority, and the Caesars were claiming divinity. "Caesar is the Lord." Many Christians died because they wouldn't recant their confession of Jesus as Lord.
It is not Caesar or Hitler, but a form of secularism that demands total submission today.
Jesus is Lord
Albert Mohler in his recent book, Prayer That Turns The World Upside Down, compares the rise of Hitler in 1942 to such a time. Many Christians and Jews lost their lives because they would not confess that Hitler and his Nazism was Lord.
It is becoming clear that we are approaching such a time in our own culture. Christians who hold to orthodox beliefs about a personal relationship with Jesus are being mocked regularly in public. Already we are being criminalized in public discussion for believing in the authority of Scripture, the atonement of Christ, the gifts of the Spirit and final judgment.
It is not Caesar or Hitler, but a form of secularism that demands total submission today. To believe and declare that Jesus is Lord is viewed as not only primitive superstition but subversive.
Culture-Ruled Religion
How does a culture come to such a stance? The climate conducive to false and destructive "lords" to arise is a culture-ruled religion. When true religion begins to accommodate the culture for the sake of gaining respect and influence, it loses both. It is the perfect "greenhouse" atmosphere for tyrants. Culture-ruled religion does not satisfy the cry of the human soul, designed by God for a passionate faith, an extraordinary vision and a sure hope for eternal significance.
Humans can't long abide a passionless faith. We are made to trust and risk. We long for an adventure that only faith can provide. We are uniquely created to enjoy the uncreated God. Anything less than knowing and living with him is less than our souls demand.
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The Jews of first century Israel had accommodated their once strong monotheism with Rome's polytheism just to get along. Even the Romans were restless. They had it all yet they were not satisfied with countless gods and multiple rituals. Caesars rule in such an environment.
Germany had experienced the awakening of the Reformation as well as the Renaissance and there were churches in every town, yet they had lost their passion. Propositions replaced personal intimacy. They were ripe for the tyrant.
The American civil religion of 2018 is similar.
Morals Without Relationship
Just a few years ago, the culture and the church were so much alike that public schools were as good as private schools in upholding morals and virtue. In my hometown, the same teachers that stood to teach science in the school on Monday had taught Sunday School down at one of the churches the day before. Parents could trust the teachers and the schools.
Sadly, though, it was mostly morals without relationship. Without the vigorous promotion of the gospel from the churches, passion was left out.
The message of the churches accommodated the standards of the culture and promoted the good life, without God. The extraordinary vision of daily walking and talking with God in our assignment to bless the world through service was lost to a much lesser vision. We gave ourselves to self-fulfillment and self-improvement. We concocted doctrines that magnified our soon-coming escape from trouble and settled for a deadening pessimism for the future of the world. Our culture told us that any meaning we might find must be found in us -- and we bought it.
We were no longer awed by the privilege of knowing God and being his partner in world affairs. We began to doubt heaven and hell and decided to find our hope in our own achievements and large central governments.
Notice that there are no more Caesars. Hitler is dead. Secularism in all is atheistic forms will fall in on itself. But Jesus still reigns.
Jesus Still Reigns
There is good news. Jesus is Lord.
Regardless of the seeming success of secularism's claims, we are assured that "God has made him both Lord and Christ." He rules now and forever and is ready to work with His people who joyfully take up the task of extending His rule.
We are promised that His word will not fail, servants eventually rule, the last word is His, and darkness always retreats from light. It might become illegal to confess that Jesus is Lord, but it will never be illegitimate. He is Lord and we are His people.
Notice that there are no more Caesars. Hitler is dead. Secularism in all is atheistic forms will fall in on itself. But Jesus still reigns. It is true -- and dangerous.
Giving Thanks for Billy Graham
I have been giving thanks today for Billy Graham.
I am grateful that when I was a boy, He gave me an opportunity to invest in heaven. I had watched him on black and white TV and ordered the material he offered. That put me on his mailing list, and soon I received a letter asking for support for a future crusade. I got the meager savings from my piggy bank (cigar box) and sent it to help my new friend, Billy Graham. It was my first taste of the joy of eternal investments.
Through the years, when I have asked people to tell me their story, many have told how they came to faith in Jesus through the preaching of Billy Graham. I have smiled inside, knowing that I made a good investment.
I am grateful that during college days I could listen to The Hour of Decision on the radio as I drove back to campus on weekends. One Sunday night, some fellow members of the football team knocked on my dorm room door. They had been listening to the radio broadcast and wanted my roommate and me to come have a prayer meeting in their room. They had been unusually moved by Billy's gospel message. They are still bearing fruit.
I am grateful that he was wise enough to use the media of his time to extend his ministry, but that he never let the medium of communication determine what he said or how he said it.
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I am grateful that he stayed with his conviction that the bible is the final authority as it reveals the final Lord. His famous, "the bible says" was enough for him and strangely for millions who listened to him.
I am grateful that when so many other national leaders, both political and religious were falling due to personal sin, we had someone who stood to show that it is possible to be faithful amid the worst temptations.
I am grateful that he had access to our presidents and congressional leaders and that he didn't find it necessary to tell everyone that he did. He saw himself as the servant of the God who called him and not as the hero needing adulation.
As the culture changed, his message didn't. He lived and died believing that Jesus truly saves anyone without exception who turns to him.
I am grateful that he stayed with his message. As the culture changed, his message didn't. He lived and died believing that Jesus truly saves anyone without exception who turns to him. And he never personally fought back when attacked viciously by some who disagreed with him. He seemed to be confident that the one who sent him would defend him.
On a personal note, I am thankful that as a young pastor in Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1971, I was privileged to serve along with hundreds of others as a counselor at the crusade in Texas Stadium. I was down there when the crowds came at his invitation to receive Christ. I saw the tears, heard the prayers, and I was privileged to follow up later many who came forward.
Like most appreciative Christians, I knew Billy Graham mostly from afar, but he seemed like part of the family. We just called him Billy. That's what he said on that first black and white TV. "Just write me, Billy Graham, Minneapolis, Minnesota. That is all the address you need."
I did and I am grateful for him.
Giving Thanks for Billy Graham
I have been giving thanks today for Billy Graham.
I am grateful that when I was a boy, He gave me an opportunity to invest in heaven. I had watched him on black and white TV and ordered the material he offered. That put me on his mailing list, and soon I received a letter asking for support for a future crusade. I got the meager savings from my piggy bank (cigar box) and sent it to help my new friend, Billy Graham. It was my first taste of the joy of eternal investments.
Through the years, when I have asked people to tell me their story, many have told how they came to faith in Jesus through the preaching of Billy Graham. I have smiled inside, knowing that I made a good investment.
I am grateful that during college days I could listen to The Hour of Decision on the radio as I drove back to campus on weekends. One Sunday night, some fellow members of the football team knocked on my dorm room door. They had been listening to the radio broadcast and wanted my roommate and me to come have a prayer meeting in their room. They had been unusually moved by Billy's gospel message. They are still bearing fruit.
I am grateful that he was wise enough to use the media of his time to extend his ministry, but that he never let the medium of communication determine what he said or how he said it.
Help us champion truth, freedom, limited government and human dignity. Support The Stream >>
I am grateful that he stayed with his conviction that the bible is the final authority as it reveals the final Lord. His famous, "the bible says" was enough for him and strangely for millions who listened to him.
I am grateful that when so many other national leaders, both political and religious were falling due to personal sin, we had someone who stood to show that it is possible to be faithful amid the worst temptations.
I am grateful that he had access to our presidents and congressional leaders and that he didn't find it necessary to tell everyone that he did. He saw himself as the servant of the God who called him and not as the hero needing adulation.
As the culture changed, his message didn't. He lived and died believing that Jesus truly saves anyone without exception who turns to him.
I am grateful that he stayed with his message. As the culture changed, his message didn't. He lived and died believing that Jesus truly saves anyone without exception who turns to him. And he never personally fought back when attacked viciously by some who disagreed with him. He seemed to be confident that the one who sent him would defend him.
On a personal note, I am thankful that as a young pastor in Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1971, I was privileged to serve along with hundreds of others as a counselor at the crusade in Texas Stadium. I was down there when the crowds came at his invitation to receive Christ. I saw the tears, heard the prayers, and I was privileged to follow up later many who came forward.
Like most appreciative Christians, I knew Billy Graham mostly from afar, but he seemed like part of the family. We just called him Billy. That's what he said on that first black and white TV. "Just write me, Billy Graham, Minneapolis, Minnesota. That is all the address you need."
I did and I am grateful for him.
A Plea for Good Shepherds
The leaders of God's people in the Old Testament are called shepherds. They are commissioned to protect the sheep and lead them to nourishment. The sheep, in turn, produce the wool that contributes to the flourishing of the family and society. In the New Testament, Jesus calls himself the "good shepherd" (John 10:11). He demonstrated what true leadership looks like. Since his ascension to the right hand of the Father, he works through his delegated and empowered leaders to equip his people (sheep) (Ephesians 4:11-16). When these shepherds neglect their calling or confuse their assignment, the sheep are confused and malnourished. They are vulnerable to the wolves.
The Dangers of Wolves
Both shepherds and wolves love sheep. The wolves love them to consume. They use the sheep for their own purpose. They care more about what the sheep provide for them than they do for the sheep. Sadly, there are many wolves in shepherd's disguise. Too many leaders have been more interested in the acquisition of names and addresses, tithing units, seats in the pew, and donors than the wholeness of the sheep. Insecure people trying to shepherd have a hard time, because they tend to find their identity in the applause of the sheep rather than in the pleasure of their master.
When the angels appeared to shepherds at the time of Jesus' birth, they were appearing to the lowest rung of free society. Not even the best shepherd was invited into polite society. Just imagine a lowly shepherd trying to make a name for himself among those outside the shepherd community, or even more ridiculous trying to elevate his status by listening to the sheep praise him. Good shepherds get their pleasure in well-protected and well-equipped sheep who stay healthy enough to produce good wool. It is the owner's pleasure that matters.
"The world is too dangerous to live in -- not because of the people who do evil, but because of the people who sit and let it happen." -- Albert Einstein
Passive shepherds allow the wolves to devour the sheep. We must not be fooled into believing all the wolves died in Bible days. There are many voices trying to deceive and allure the vulnerable sheep. We suffer in a culture torn by "spin." The news we hear can't be trusted. Bias has become the norm. Walter Cronkite is dead, and so is trust in the Media, in the Congress, in the Presidency, and too often in the church. The sheep don't know where to find refreshing water and green grass. They are afraid to lie down beside still waters. The shepherds are busy with their own agendas while the wolves lick their chops. (The Stream seeks to be a place where sheep can come and get the news from trusted sources.)
Good Shepherds, Step Up and Lead
Step up, shepherds! Please!
Help us interpret the issues of our day from a Christian worldview. Abortion, immigration, freedom of conscience, and free speech are not just political issues to be left to the politicians. They are moral issues stemming from spiritual reality. Misunderstanding these issues is deadly. We need a trustworthy perspective that is above political parties. Don't just tell us to vote. Tell us why it is moral to vote. Don't tell us how to vote. Tell us how to think from a gospel-perspective. We can't spend all day researching all the issues. We have jobs and families. Lead us to good sources where we can learn to engage issues beyond talking points. We are grateful for the years of study you have invested in theology, philosophy, and political science. Please use it now to equip us to think, to believe, and to act as children of light facing a dark world.
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Jim Denison in a recent blog quoted Albert Einstein. "The world is too dangerous to live in -- not because of the people who do evil, but because of the people who sit and let it happen."
Please, shepherds. Don't neglect your calling. Equip us. Mobilize us. Inspire us with truth and love. Our present lives and the future of our families are at stake.
Breaking Free From A Religious Mindset
Are you reigning in life? If not, the thing that’s holding you back could be a religious mindset. But Father God wants you free! This is why He gave up His one and only Son to come and rescue you – to replace all those rules with relationship. When I came into a revelation of […]
The post Breaking Free From A Religious Mindset appeared first on Sandra McCollom.
We Could Use Some Good News
He stumbled up to the convenience store and sat down on a stack of Coke cases. He look tired and frustrated. The concerned lady behind the counter spoke, "Are you OK?" Slowly he lifted his head to reveal hollow cheeks and empty eyes. "Lady,” he said, "Yesterday my wife was diagnosed with cancer. My health provider has notified me that we are not covered. Today my boss demoted me. My car just stopped running a couple of miles down the road, and this is as far as I could walk. I could use some good news."
The American Dream
Maybe we have all had days like that. In fact, we are living at a time in our own culture when it seems like bad news is all we get. Globally, the American dollar is staggering under an unimaginable debt. Currencies that here-to-fore bowed to the mighty dollar are competing for dominance. The American dream has lost its luster for seniors who fear that the Social Security they had counted on is not that secure. Younger people are burdened over the debt they are assuming as they try to bear the burden of baby-boomer mortality, while they face the reality that they probably won't prosper as much as their parent's generation.
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The American destiny is being reinterpreted through the lenses of secularism. God's involvement in the purpose of this nation is being denied, and our faults are being magnified to the point of shame. We are told that we have had it all wrong and that anyone who celebrates our history is prejudiced and blind. Fake news has become a celebrity of communication as we have taken the used car salesman's spin technique and adopted it in Media, Congress, the Presidency, and even the pulpit. We could use some good news.
Israel’s Past
Israel had a time like that. Once a prosperous nation under the guidance of God they had been devastated by the Assyrians in 722 BC and then by the Babylonians in 536 BC. Under this rule they were slaves, being told every day that they were a class of beings barely above the animals. Added to the physical pain of abuse, persecution and mental torture, they were aware that they were guilty of breaking the covenant with God. They were convinced that he had divorced them, sold them into slavery, and washed his hands of them. The past was filled with regret. The present was painful, and the future looked bleak. Into this era of despair, a voice was heard from God's prophet:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion: Your God reigns -- Isaiah 52:7.
Too Good to be True
It was startling news. Too good to be true. The natural eye had trouble finding enough evidence to make it believable. But God's word is trustworthy. He rules over nature, history, and time. Nations are used by him -- without even knowing it -- to accomplish his purpose. He raises up kings and deposes them. He has always had a plan to rule his creation through his image-bearers.
Adam and Eve were the first. They yielded their rule to the deception of the Serpent. But God had another Adam in mind and he came to earth as a man, as an Israelite, and as God's servant to establish God's rule through a man. That man was Jesus who lived obediently as man was designed, died sacrificially as was required by justice, defeated death which was mankind's arch enemy, and ascended to sit on the throne ruling everything his sacrifice paid for. He rules today and shall reign forever and ever.
Good News
When we hear in our hearts the good news that "Our God Reigns," we believe, and peace pushes out fear and worry. The good news that sets the heart free is that our God reigns. He rules over history, nature, time, sin, flesh, death, and Satan. It would be the epitome of foolishness to see a God who controls all of life and refuse to yield our lives to him. It is true wisdom to see a God who rules over all authority and power and gladly trust him to rule our lives. We have good news.
Just Live
We over theologize. It’s actually really simple. I think it is us who require proof, explanation and experience. We spend lots of time and money to understand. We travel, we read, we study. Maybe it’s an American thing and it’s a good thing, but it’s really not necessary.
What if you don’t have access to all the resources or education? What if you can’t read or maybe you live in a country without religious freedom?
I’ve seen people in dire straights, desperate for help, who simple tell God I can’t, I give it to you, and He takes it and loves them as they slowly begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. People with no formal education and no means except for the simple ability to believe and they are transformed.
I’m convinced that it’s about relationship with a loving God who meets us where we are, we don’t have to find Him in an elaborate building or a well dressed speaker on a platform. Jesus made the way that simple. Do you believe?
We Americanized believers question our faith, our forgiveness, our walk, our church attendance, our clothing, when the heavenly standard was met in Christ, do you believe it? Then relax, have relationship and stop measuring God’s ability to love you by external measurements and open your eyes to see that He has been all along. Just live!
Christ-Centered or Christ-Added
I grew up going to the country church where my parents attended and served as volunteer leaders. We prided ourselves both as a church and as a denomination that we could always count on a Christ-centered message coming from the pulpit. We were mission-minded where other churches were maybe more doctrinal or liturgical. We wanted to make sure that anyone who attended the services had an opportunity to profess faith in Jesus as Savior. The "plan of salvation" was always given at the end of every service.
What I now realize is that when it came to the preaching, we meant more Christ-added than Christ-centered.
Christ-Added
I can remember the pastor using various passages from the Bible and spending most of his time explaining how we should cease from certain behavior and begin doing something more beneficial. Then, at the end, he would briefly mention that Jesus was ready to save us if we would trust him. Maybe he would help us keep our promises or live up to our resolutions.
Man-centered messages with Jesus added are not only powerless to transform, but they are false representations of the gospel.
The focus was unmistakably on what we should do to be better. Christ was added like instant tea to cold water. He would add flavor, but the task could probably be accomplished with enough faith and willpower. It was more about what we should and must do to make God happy -- and Jesus would help us.
There were sermons and Bible studies on the principles that assure success in our endeavors. There were lectures on ethics. There were interesting Bible stories explaining the moral characteristics of the characters, with the exhortation to "dare to be a Daniel," or "be courageous like young David."
Sometimes there were in-depth doctrinal sermons on great theological controversies, but they always ended with: "I don't want anyone to leave today if you haven't accepted Jesus as your own personal Savior and Lord. If you will admit your sin, and confess by open profession, your faith in him, you can be saved."
A Growing Hunger for the Christ-Centered Message
Sadly, not much has changed -- not only in the small country churches like that one but also in some of the largest pulpits in our world.
We seem to have forgotten that Jesus took the first disciples on a tour of the Bible and showed them that he was the subject and center of the whole story. We seem afraid to tell the raw truth that Jesus alone is the way to the Father and that only through him can we know intimacy with God now and forever. We add him to our well-crafted speeches that really feature what we can do, rather than what he has done.
Man-centered messages with Jesus added are not only powerless to transform, but they are false representations of the gospel.
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A growing hunger for the Christ-centered message which energized the early disciples is becoming evident. The entertaining talks and dramatic presentations have not satisfied a deep longing for a glimpse of Jesus the Lord. We are made for him. Our eyes are never fully opened until we see him by faith. Our hearts are never at peace until he is our all in all.
When we are the center and Jesus is added, we slowly die. When we see him as filling our field of vision, we find ourselves in our proper position. If he is Lord of all, he can never be an "add-on."
That’s Not Nice
The title of this article should really be: "That is not just nice," but I thought you might be more attracted to the one I chose. So, I admit to a little marketing manipulation. But, since you are reading, let's get to the point.
We had left the church service and gathered at the restaurant with several couples. After ordering, someone asked the expected question, "What did you think of today's sermon?" Let me say that the preacher had done an exceptional job of proclaiming the gospel. He had addressed the majestic though mysterious revelation that has come in Jesus, even mentioning how surprised the Jews of his day were in how he came as a baby and lived as a commoner. I was eager to hear the discussion that always ensues at lunch after church.
One of the ladies, who I will call Gail (name changed to protect the innocent), spoke up. "I thought it was nice." My jaw dropped and I said under my breath, "I'm sorry. You missed it."
The Gospel is Not Just “Nice”
The gospel that is the center of the Bible is not just nice. It is startling. Speaking of the coming of Christ centuries before the event, the prophet Isaiah said,
See, my servant shall prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. -- Isaiah 52:13-15
We have domesticated it to "nice." But that is not the appropriate description. Extraordinary! Explosive! Radical! Revolutionary! Mind-blowing! Threatening! These would apply.
A Lifeline to Our Shipwrecked State
The baby Jesus we celebrate at Christmas was a king who came to establish an empire that had a dimension beyond all other kingdoms. He came to set the world right and defeat the powers of hell. He was concluding a war that had been wrecking earth since the Garden of Eden. The ultimate Judge arrived. He was both the standard to which all would be measured, and the Judge whose sentence would be eternal. Opposing forces hated him. They conspired to eliminate him. It wasn't nice.
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We like the inspiring messages that remind us of how awesome we are and how we can tweak our attitudes and behaviors to be more successful as people, parents and producers. That's nice. But the announcement that the God who created all things, and demands that history align with his agenda, has invaded the world is unsettling. He is in control, and we are not.
He has concluded that we can never shake our shackles or escape our captors. He knows that we are locked into a corner with no exit. He has come to make a way out. His way is his Son, and that is the only way provided. That is not a nice message to those who demand many options and insist on having some say in how things must be.
But to those who -- like shipwrecked passengers bobbing in the middle of the ocean, dying of thirst and too fatigued to swim -- hear there is a way out, it is grand news. They don't want options. They want a sure salvation from one who can deliver what he promises.
His Breathtaking Gospel
Jesus in his saving act did not appeal to those who judge by appearance. He was marred and ugly. His features were distorted, his hair matted with his own blood, his shoulders slumped under the load of his cross. He was mocked by the crowd; ignored by those who are turned off by gore, and despised by those who should have known his true identity. Many had followed him in his mercy ministry. They loved the extra bread of his miracles, the healing from his hand, and the insightful stories he told.
Some, like his disciples, thought he would be the hero of Israel in leading a revolt against Rome. Judas had given up when he was sure that Jesus would not meet his expectations. Peter was all-in as long as Jesus was upright and potentially a winning candidate. When the appearance began to change, even Peter found him ugly and worthy of denying.
If you truly hear the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord, you won't say it is just nice. It will take your breath.
We are still exalting apparent beauty. We like for celebrities to lead us. We are a visual people and will not tolerate that which does not appeal to our taste. Any savior worthy of our attention must be a super-hero type.
But, the one who was marred beyond recognition has startled the nations. Kings, prime ministers, presidents, and even tyrants have bowed before him. They can't compete with the power to conquer death. They tremble in the presence of him who lives forever. But it is not just leaders. Everyone who has seen him has found prostration to be the most appropriate position.
If you truly hear the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord, you won't say it is just nice. It will take your breath. Your life will change. Your priorities will be realigned. Your world will be different. You will hear yourself saying, "if that is true then everything has changed."
Hard-hearted Religion
Religion. The very word evokes negative responses from so many. Religion has been the cause of wars and disputes for thousands of years. It has been the source of debate for countless numbers of arguments over which religion is right, which is wrong. Even within my “religion” of Christianity, there is so much division that
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