Lots of times when I read Biblical accounts, I like to put myself in the shoes of those who were at the scene. Like an actor, I imagine myself playing the role of a major character and wonder if somehow I’d rewrite the part differently.
In the events during Holy Week, there are several players that intrigue me. I consider Peter and wonder what my reaction would have been if someone accused me of being a follower of Christ. Would I have denied my Savior three times as he did?
I think of Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of Christ. Would I have had the ability to put aside blood money and instead run to Jesus’ when He was being tortured? Would I have defended Him or deserted Him?
And finally, what of the crowd that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem? The events of that day will be celebrated soon as we too declare “Hosanna in the highest!” But how many from that same crowd became part of the mob before Pilate and shouted “Crucify Him!”? Would I have joined in with them, not fully understanding that Jesus was the Son of God?
All of this is purely speculation and all are questions 2000 years later that we cannot fully answer. But as we look back and evaluate through the lens of the cross, we realize that even for those who turned their back on Jesus, redemption was made available to them.
It is said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. What I take this to mean is that all of us have rejected or turned our back on Jesus at some point. Everyone has gone astray as sin is inherit to all mankind.
Paul’s words in Romans 3 challenge and convict us as we consider what the work of salvation truly means:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. Romans 3:23-25
Everyone. All of humanity falls short. But grace is a free gift that comes to us through Christ’s sacrifice. It is undeserved and unmerited. What a blessed Savior and what a word of hope!
I don’t have a 3-point message this week and in reality, I don’t think it is necessary to make this entry more complicated than what it is. You see, we who have accepted Christ as Savior have realized our sin and need for His atonement. But we know any of us could easily have been Peter, Judas, or a member of the angry mob. We are no better than they are and they no worse than we. The ground is level at the cross.
It’s the reminder of this message, especially at Easter, that must grip us once again. We were sinners set apart from God. He came to us. He made a way for us. He wrote redemption’s story and if we’ve accepted that story for our lives, hallelujah! Amen and amen! As Paul said, we receive this message by faith.
My opening title “What Would We Have Said Of Him?” is really a point to end on as we lead into next week. Perhaps we know what we would have said of Christ before we came to believe in Him. We had a totally different view before our eyes were opened to the Gospel. But taking the title a step further, we can be prepared to answer “What Do We Now Say Of Him?”; knowing that post-salvation, we have a much different outlook and perspective of our Savior and Lord.
It’s that outlook and viewpoint an unbelieving world needs to see in us today! We all have eyes watching us and examining Christ from what we say or do. This Easter, make it a point to display clearly Who Jesus is and the reason He had to die. As you pray for boldness, I’m praying too. And I firmly believe those are the prayers God loves to answer!
Have a blessed week! Please let me know how I can pray for you: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com