Asking the right question

Luke 13:1-5 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

We look to the words of Christ to give us a proper view of life...and death.

By nature of our flesh we are prone to view death as a consequence; the consequence of a mistake, the consequence of judgement, old age, disease, etc. We as earth bound people are fixated on death; why it happens, how it happens, and most urgently, WHEN ?

Our Savior cuts through our concern with death and gives us a heavenly perspective of true life. Trying to make sense of death and dying is not the urgent question. The Lords use of the word perish implies that without repentance we all determine a fate of suffering (perish) in a world to come. Today...redemption and forgiveness of sin should be the proper perspective for every person.

When we by faith receive Christ as Lord and Savior by repentance and forgiveness of sins we become a child of God and resident of heaven. When that happens, our entire perspective changes. For the redeemed, "to live is Christ and to die is gain."  For the beloved, "Perfect love cast out all fear. Fear has to do with punishment."

The angst of death with all it's question and mystery vanishes. It is swallowed up with victory that Christ is our resurrection and life, true LIFE.

Hebrews 2: 14-15... that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

See what Jesus Christ has done for us? He settles the score by defeating death and its hold on our lives. Then we understand the urgency of Christ...To share the good news: Repentance brings liberty and new life...eternally.

iPhone

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Keith Brake

Image
Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. And the place was shaken...WOW We all need these moments of transfiguration. Times when God makes an appearance leaving no doubt that you are where you're supposed to be doing exactly what is pleasing to Him. God moments...! They happen every day. All day. In big and small ways. The small moments may bring a smile. The huge bring tears. We can fathom only handfuls of the mountainous otherwise we look only for big and miss the multitude of God moments happening all around us. One of those gigantic events happened Sunday. Over 50 of us were jammed into the small hospice room of our beloved LIFE group teacher of 25 years. Cancer had left him unable to communicate. Final days of life's struggle are approaching. Lynn's request for Keith was to have his class meet by his bed, on Easter Sunday, a
Read more

Take Up Your Cross (Part II)

Image
No one understands the passion of Christ so thoroughly or heartily as the man whose lot it is to suffer the like himself. The cross, therefore, is always ready; it awaits you everywhere. No matter where you may go, you cannot escape it, for wherever you go you take yourself with you and shall always find yourself. Turn where you will—above, below, without, or within—you will find a cross in everything, and everywhere you must have patience if you would have peace within and merit an eternal crown.                                                - Thomas A Kempis                                            (The Imitation Of Christ) You may ask what has brought you here but the most important fact, for now, is who has brought you here. You have heard that Gods love for you is indescribable; the cross that you bear is an act of His love. It sounds strange and you may think opposite but His love for you has led you here. You thought sin; assured of misfortune; convinced of something
Read more

Go For It

Image
One of the most heart rendering experiences I've ever had occurred on a mission trip to the south pacific. My niece came with me along with a dozen other workers. We arrived at the airport in Manila Philippines for our return flight to America. My niece reached for her passport...and it wasn't there. One thing for certain, you're not getting on an international flight without a passport. It was lost on the bumpy ride to the city. She had everything, but not quite! Everything.. but the most important item... which gave her right of passage. At that point, nothing else mattered. I recall her weeping on my shoulder, "Uncle John, there going to keep me here forever". How God bailed us out of that jam was amazing and a great devotion for another time. What I'm reminded of from this is the story of the rich young man that came to Jesus in Matthew 19. He had everything and had kept all the law. He would have been like the Bruce Wayne of Palestine. He had money,
Read more