In
recent days we have been watching the search and rescue teams involved locating
the missing Malaysian Flight. Search and rescue teams are also involved
rescuing people after the massive mudslide in the State of Washington, here in
the USA. As we journey with Jesus to Jerusalem we come to discover how, at the
Cross, God initiated the ultimate search and rescue mission, moving into the war
zone of sin and evil. God was in Christ reconciling the world back to himself,
risking and losing his life so that we might live. The motto of the cross of
Christ is "So that others may live."
As we
reflect on the Passion narratives in the Scriptures, and also on the passages
dealing with new life and resurrection, we are reminded that the Good News of
Jesus is a huge plan to redeem and restore God's fallen creation
(Colossians
1:20). It's a plan for cosmic reconciliation. A
crucifixion, in and of itself, was not a victory; it was a shameful, painful,
agonizing, excruciating defeat. The Lord of the universe, the King of all
creation and the King of Glory, transformed the sorrow and shame of the Cross
into salvation and victory. At the Cross:
We were
offered acceptance.
We were offered forgiveness.
We were offered victory over evil.
We were offered forgiveness.
We were offered victory over evil.
We see
the evil and sin all around us. The Bible declares that raw evil is not just "out
there" in the demonic and really bad people. The Biblical narrative
and the Story make it clear that the evil is in us—it runs right
through our hearts, even as followers of Jesus. Peter, one of Jesus' favorite
followers, stumbled and cracked. Thomas grumbled and doubted. James and John
argued over who was to get the best seat in the house. These seemingly small
acts are all part of a downward spiral into evil, which does its very worst to
deface God's good creation, destroy human beings, and kill the Son of God,
Jesus. In the words of Bible scholar N. T. Wright, "The
Gospels tell this whole story in order to say that the tortured young Jewish
prophet hanging on the cross was the point where evil had become truly and fully
and totally itself."
The
natural conclusion to draw is that evil wins the day. With all its
violence, cruelty, and hatred, sin rules the world, but in the life, death,
and Resurrection of Jesus our Lord we discover that the here
and a
summer day somewhere else and right in the midst of our imperfect lives, with
our fears and pettiness and sins, our Lord offers us the chance to share in the
victory of Jesus. Sharing in Jesus' victory means that we can be reconciled to
God and as a result nothing will ultimately defeat God's plan to reconcile the
world through the blood of the Cross of Jesus.
As Tolkien claimed in his great book, "Lord of the Rings", "One day all of our sad stories
will become untrue." In and through Christ and His victory on the cross,
we can expect that one day every tear will be wiped away, every sorrow will be
healed, every addiction conquered, every broken relationship reconciled, and
every sad song will become a shout of joy.
Thanks be
to Jesus our Lord.
Brown
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