Saturday, April 07, 2012
Explosion Blows Hole in the Space-Time Continuum
It was a truly cosmic event. Colossal. Impossible to measure. Only the death of Christ had comparable impact on the world and on your future. In fact, the incident confirmed that His death was an undeniable triumph over death. Unfortunately, we often we pass over the story without contemplating its enormous effect. In many circles the explosion to which I refer has been grossly underestimated. This is how it could have been reported in the first century:
A spokesperson of new Jewish religious sect whose leader was executed last Friday recently made this incredible claim: “Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.” (Matthew 28:1-4 NLT) Someone later claimed to have talked to the resurrected Rabbi who said of Himself. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)
Three days after Jesus was crucified He broke through unseen barriers. It was as if there was an explosion in the spirit world on Easter morning; an explosion that not only moved the stone which imprisoned Jesus in the tomb, but also demolished the arch enemies of mankind - death hell and the grave. Jesus’ resurrection blew a hole in the wall between time and eternity so we could all have access to eternal life. Jesus (God manifest in the flesh according to 1 Timothy 3:16) went first. He became the “first fruit of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).
One day those who have committed themselves to His kingdom are going to stand before Jesus in heaven and stare back through that hole into time and marvel that they were so blessed to be invited. They will wonder why they held on so tightly to earthly things. Because of Jesus death and resurrection and their response to Him, their perspective will be from a whole new dimension beyond time and space.
Easter is proof that, in Christ, there is life after death. This is an incredible concept; one that most world religions have explored but not proven. Many influential people have founded movements and religions, but only one came back from the dead exactly as he predicted… only one walked through walls and did many infallible proofs... only one ascended into the heavens with the promise that he would return.
We have proof that the Roman government and the Jewish religious leaders could not refute - in spite of their frantic attempts. There is a place beyond the grave, and Jesus holds the keys. It makes you want to get on his good side, doesn’t it? It makes you want to repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38) so you can enter the kingdom and go to the place He has prepared for you; a place outside the space-time continuum.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Three Words Rock the Universe
Victim Forgives Lynch-mob
An incredible story was circulated in Jerusalem shortly before the first Easter. It seems that a condemned criminal shocked onlookers with one short sentence. This was followed by earth tremors and a darkening of the sky. A doctor who witnessed the event told this story: “When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:33-43 NLT)
Jesus showed the world that forgiveness is more powerful than a devil-inspired, beard-plucking, two-faced, lynch mob that swarmed over a hill called Golgotha gloating in their politically-correct lynching. After being beaten within an inch of his life, Jesus hung naked for 6 hours as His precious blood oozed from hundreds of undeserved, man-inflicted wounds. Bugs terrorized him and ungrateful people guffawed as the sins of all mankind settled on his shoulders. The entire episode was detestable, illegal, inhumane, cruel, self-righteous, unjust and barbarian. Did Jesus play the victim card? No. He prayed, “Father forgive them.” No wonder there was an earthquake and an eclipse. It was a poignant demonstration of unconditional love for all mankind to behold and emulate. He said three words: “Father forgive them…” Can you say that?
Someone may ask, “How could Jesus forgive when no one was apologizing?” Forgiveness is a power of its own. It is proactive. It takes charge. It is the right thing to do even when those who offended you have no intention of saying they are sorry. Forgiveness is like antibacterial soap. It does not wait for germs to change their nature; it just cleans a person’s heart and soul without seeking permission from the gunk of bitterness, revenge and self-pity. What if we were to forgive as often as we use soap?
Jesus took the initiative to forgive before his antagonists even thought about saying “I’m sorry.” Now, all anyone needs to do to be forgiven is ask. (1John 1:9). But we need to say father forgive them before we say father forgive me. Furthermore, all we have to do to have our record of sin expunged is to be baptized in Jesus name (see Acts 2:38). And all we need to do to receive power to live a godly life is pray that God would fill us with His Spirit like He did the Apostles (see Acts 2:4). Calvary made a way to forgive and be forgiven.
So, there Jesus hangs for the whole world to see. His marred countenance and convulsing body are saying: “You can make fun of my parents, you can kick me out of your churches, you can ignore my miracles, you can condemn me in a kangaroo court and publicly humiliate me, you can spit at me, pluck my beard and laugh at me, but I am still going to love and forgive you. My forgiveness will rock the universe.”
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