Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas Thoughts 2012
Yesterday we celebrated the incarnation of the Son of God. Christmas is the wondrous story of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, the union of manhood and Deity. Following the birth of a child, parents begin to focus on those "milestones" in life. Some of them might include the first time their baby turns over, the first time they crawl, their first words spoken, their first steps taken, etc. From that first day forward, the thing that parents fear most is often the injury, ill health or death of their child.
God has chosen to reveal to us certain truths related to the birth, life and death of His Son Jesus. It appears that what we are privileged to have in Scripture about Him is that which is necessary to know Him, know the reason for His coming and to grow in our knowledge of Him. We know little of His "developmental" years. We have no information on when He first crawled, what words He first spoke or when He took His first steps.
But although I know nothing about the first words that He spoke, I know some of His last. They are certainly among the most profound words ever spoken. Words like, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing". "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOUR FORSAKEN ME?" And, "It is finished!" The truth and significance of these words are of such depth that they may be pondered by the believer for a lifetime and never be exhausted.
And although I know nothing about the first steps that Jesus took, I know something of His last. They were steps taken out of love, in anguish and fatigue, as He was led to Calvary. His very last steps were taken just before He was nailed to a wooden cross by Roman soldiers. No, we do not know when they occurred, but His first steps ever taken were also leading Him to this very place. Calvary's cross was His destiny. Calvary had been His destination from the first day He lay in a manger.
The final steps that He took and the final words which He spoke were to accomplish all that Jesus had been born for. His journey from the manger bed in Bethlehem to the cross on Calvary was indeed the sovereign will of God and His indescribable gift to men. Bearing the sins of the world would forever be the greatest of all "milestones" and one that only Jesus could accomplish. Yes, His final steps and His final words resulted in forgiveness of sin and eternal life for you and me. Glory to God in the Highest. Praise God for Jesus.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Broken Hearts in a Broken Nation
Hearts were broken across our country this past Friday as the news of the shooting at the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut unfolded. After all of the initial news reports provided various and sometimes conflicting information, it was established that 12 little girls and 8 little boys, ages 6 and 7, had been murdered in the unthinkable rampage. The killer, who also took his own life, was a 20 year-old man who, in addition to the 20 children, had killed his own mother prior to coming to the school and killed an additional 6 adult women at the school.
My heart broke for the parents and families of each of those whose lives had been so untimely and violently taken that Friday morning. My heart ached even more as the day progressed and I realized that the mom's and dad's of those little children would not even be able to go into the school to see, touch or hold their babies. Undoubtedly family members of the adult victims would have had similar feelings. The depth of their grief could only have been described as beyond comprehension. Believing that God is the God of all comfort and trusting that He is able to do exceeding, abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, Christians around the world prayed for these families. We knew that He was their only answer and prayed that He would minister to their hearts and use His people to reach out to the families.
Before all of the details were known the questions began to be asked. What were the killer's motives? What caused him to do something so horrendous? Is more gun control necessary to prevent such incidents? How can we make our schools a safer place? And that often asked question in the midst of tragedy, why did God allow such a thing to happen?
These can be difficult questions to contemplate and provide answers for. As my pastor recently reminded our congregation, we will either approach matters, including questions like posed above, from a biblical world view or from a worldly or fleshly world view. This compounds the difficulty of having a public discussion of the matter and answering these questions because the two world views are quite different from one another. A biblical examination of the matter will lead one to focus on the issue of sin, the depraved nature of mankind and the need to be born again through faith in Christ and to be dependent on Him to live God honoring lives. The biblical world view will see God as the answer. A worldly examination of the matter will lead people to focus on what outside influences contributed to what they would suggest is an otherwise inherently good person who acted out in an evil fashion. They will look to themselves for the answers and consider the things that they might do to correct the problems.
As deep as the depth of heartache that the parents of these 20 children are experiencing is the depth of the problem our country is facing and most appear to be completely unaware of this. I could not begin to write of all of the things that have contributed to the decline of our country's culture and moral character. If one wishes to read of these matters specifically, you need only look to the Bible, God's Holy word. It is here that He has addressed each and every matter that concerns us. A summary statement of our problem would be that we have forgotten God and that we have purposed to remove His influence in all aspects of our culture.
It is sad that on Wednesday, just two days before this horrific event in Newtown, Connecticut, that 75 miles away in downtown Manhattan, New York, an atheist group had put up a billboard mocking God. The billboard was composed of a large picture of Santa Clause with the words "Keep the MERRY". Under the large picture of Santa Clause was a large picture portraying Christ being crucified with the words, "Dump the MYTH". I am convinced that none of the parents, families or friends of those murdered on Friday are looking to Santa Clause for understanding and comfort. They will be looking to the One who was being mocked and He will offer them grace. Praise our God!
I feel compelled to share some final thoughts regarding the matter of evil and the state of our country's moral decline. Although He sovereignly allows it, it is not God who is to be blamed for evil. Men commit evil acts because of sin and scripture teaches, that in sin and rebellion against God, men are even inventors of evil. Following the horrific events of this past Friday and for the weeks and months ahead, making schools a safer place for children will be the topic of much discussion and planning.
As I thought about "safe places" for children, I couldn't seem to help think about a very special place that God had designed to be the safest of all places; and then I cringed. Men, "inventors of evil", had turned this safest of all places into the most dangerous place for a child to be in America. It is with great sadness that I say that this most dangerous of all places is in the womb of a woman in our country. It is indicative of our country's grave problem. The Center for Disease Control's latest statistics report that there were 825,564 abortions in 2008. That is an average of 2,262 children aborted every day of the year.
The latest national vital statistics were published in October 2012 and are for the year 2009. In these statistics, "children" are those between the ages of 1 and 19 years of age. In 2009 there was a total of 21,621 deaths recorded. In each age category (1-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19) the number one cause of death was accidents. Abortions in 2008 occurred 38 times the number of all recorded deaths of children 1-19 years of age in 2009. They are not considered accidental but intentional. May God have mercy on us. By His grace and through His Son Jesus Christ, may He help us to become a nation that truly chooses to honor the value of human life.
Greg
My heart broke for the parents and families of each of those whose lives had been so untimely and violently taken that Friday morning. My heart ached even more as the day progressed and I realized that the mom's and dad's of those little children would not even be able to go into the school to see, touch or hold their babies. Undoubtedly family members of the adult victims would have had similar feelings. The depth of their grief could only have been described as beyond comprehension. Believing that God is the God of all comfort and trusting that He is able to do exceeding, abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, Christians around the world prayed for these families. We knew that He was their only answer and prayed that He would minister to their hearts and use His people to reach out to the families.
Before all of the details were known the questions began to be asked. What were the killer's motives? What caused him to do something so horrendous? Is more gun control necessary to prevent such incidents? How can we make our schools a safer place? And that often asked question in the midst of tragedy, why did God allow such a thing to happen?
These can be difficult questions to contemplate and provide answers for. As my pastor recently reminded our congregation, we will either approach matters, including questions like posed above, from a biblical world view or from a worldly or fleshly world view. This compounds the difficulty of having a public discussion of the matter and answering these questions because the two world views are quite different from one another. A biblical examination of the matter will lead one to focus on the issue of sin, the depraved nature of mankind and the need to be born again through faith in Christ and to be dependent on Him to live God honoring lives. The biblical world view will see God as the answer. A worldly examination of the matter will lead people to focus on what outside influences contributed to what they would suggest is an otherwise inherently good person who acted out in an evil fashion. They will look to themselves for the answers and consider the things that they might do to correct the problems.
As deep as the depth of heartache that the parents of these 20 children are experiencing is the depth of the problem our country is facing and most appear to be completely unaware of this. I could not begin to write of all of the things that have contributed to the decline of our country's culture and moral character. If one wishes to read of these matters specifically, you need only look to the Bible, God's Holy word. It is here that He has addressed each and every matter that concerns us. A summary statement of our problem would be that we have forgotten God and that we have purposed to remove His influence in all aspects of our culture.
It is sad that on Wednesday, just two days before this horrific event in Newtown, Connecticut, that 75 miles away in downtown Manhattan, New York, an atheist group had put up a billboard mocking God. The billboard was composed of a large picture of Santa Clause with the words "Keep the MERRY". Under the large picture of Santa Clause was a large picture portraying Christ being crucified with the words, "Dump the MYTH". I am convinced that none of the parents, families or friends of those murdered on Friday are looking to Santa Clause for understanding and comfort. They will be looking to the One who was being mocked and He will offer them grace. Praise our God!
I feel compelled to share some final thoughts regarding the matter of evil and the state of our country's moral decline. Although He sovereignly allows it, it is not God who is to be blamed for evil. Men commit evil acts because of sin and scripture teaches, that in sin and rebellion against God, men are even inventors of evil. Following the horrific events of this past Friday and for the weeks and months ahead, making schools a safer place for children will be the topic of much discussion and planning.
As I thought about "safe places" for children, I couldn't seem to help think about a very special place that God had designed to be the safest of all places; and then I cringed. Men, "inventors of evil", had turned this safest of all places into the most dangerous place for a child to be in America. It is with great sadness that I say that this most dangerous of all places is in the womb of a woman in our country. It is indicative of our country's grave problem. The Center for Disease Control's latest statistics report that there were 825,564 abortions in 2008. That is an average of 2,262 children aborted every day of the year.
The latest national vital statistics were published in October 2012 and are for the year 2009. In these statistics, "children" are those between the ages of 1 and 19 years of age. In 2009 there was a total of 21,621 deaths recorded. In each age category (1-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19) the number one cause of death was accidents. Abortions in 2008 occurred 38 times the number of all recorded deaths of children 1-19 years of age in 2009. They are not considered accidental but intentional. May God have mercy on us. By His grace and through His Son Jesus Christ, may He help us to become a nation that truly chooses to honor the value of human life.
Greg
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Each on Display in Times Square; Ignorance and Grace
Under the large picture of Santa Clause were the words "Keep the MERRY". Positioned under the Santa Clause picture was another large picture, this one of Jesus being crucified. Under the picture of Jesus were the words, "Dump the MYTH". These pictures were on display today on a large billboard in New York City's Times Square. The billboard was reportedly put up by a New Jersey based atheist group.
The billboard reminded me of how men continue to act ignorantly in unbelief. As I look at the display on the billboard I cannot help hut hear the words of Christ as He said, "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." The life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ is a truth that has been under attack for centuries. It is not a myth. Praise the Lord that no amount of billboards, no matter what their size, can turn this truth into a myth.
The billboard also reminded me of the mercy and grace of God. I would even suggest that the billboard is evidence of God's grace in the fact that those responsible for mocking His Son are still breathing His air tonight. Scripture tells us that God is patient and out of His deep love demonstrated on the cross they mock, desires that the mockers come to saving faith in His Son. He died for the sins of those who mocked Him then and those who still mock Him today.
A last thought that I have about this billboard that was on display in Times Square today is this. The mockers are unaware of the powerful message they inadvertently share when they depict Christ crucified. I am convinced that God will use the image which they have falsely label a myth and reveal the truth of Christ to some who may gaze upon it. Some, for the first time in their lives, will come to know the true meaning of Christmas. Praise the Lord.
Greg
The billboard reminded me of how men continue to act ignorantly in unbelief. As I look at the display on the billboard I cannot help hut hear the words of Christ as He said, "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." The life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ is a truth that has been under attack for centuries. It is not a myth. Praise the Lord that no amount of billboards, no matter what their size, can turn this truth into a myth.
The billboard also reminded me of the mercy and grace of God. I would even suggest that the billboard is evidence of God's grace in the fact that those responsible for mocking His Son are still breathing His air tonight. Scripture tells us that God is patient and out of His deep love demonstrated on the cross they mock, desires that the mockers come to saving faith in His Son. He died for the sins of those who mocked Him then and those who still mock Him today.
A last thought that I have about this billboard that was on display in Times Square today is this. The mockers are unaware of the powerful message they inadvertently share when they depict Christ crucified. I am convinced that God will use the image which they have falsely label a myth and reveal the truth of Christ to some who may gaze upon it. Some, for the first time in their lives, will come to know the true meaning of Christmas. Praise the Lord.
Greg
Friday, November 30, 2012
He is no Idol, He is Alive!
Over the past couple of years my pastor has been leading our mid-week Bible study time through the Book of Psalms. This week we were in Psalm 115. Contrasting the God of Israel with the idols of the nations, in verses 4-7 the Psalmist writes; "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat. "
Reading through the passage brought to mind the accusation made against the Apostle Paul, recorded in Acts 19:26 where the author wrote, "You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of
Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all."
The Psalmist's words also reminded me that ours is a living God and that unlike the idols of the nations, our Savior partook of flesh and blood. "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" scripture says. "Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity, in perfect harmony the man who is God" the Christian song goes. As I considered the wonder of this truth it seemed so apparent that Christ is all that the idols of the nations were not.
The idols of the nations were gold and silver while He was flesh and blood.
They could not speak, but of Christ it was said that "never has a man spoken the way this man speaks."
The idols had eyes, but could not see. Christ had eyes that could see Zaccheus up in a tree, see a demon possessed man and even see the demons that possessed the man.
The idols had ears, but could not hear. Christ had ears that would listen to the voices of men, while able also to hear the thoughts and intentions of their heart.
The idols had noses, but could not smell. Christ had a nose that smelled the fragrance that filled the house when Mary had anointed His feet with a "very costly perfume".
The idols had hands, but they could not feel. Christ had hands that could hold a child in His arms, cleanse the leper, make the blind man see and feel the nails that were driven through his hands.
The idols had feet, but they could not walk. Christ had feet that could walk the road to Golgotha and walk on the sea of Galilee.
The idols could not make a sound with their throat. Christ, while suffering great cruelty uttered words that would change the lives of men forever, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" and "It is finished"!
Ours is a living God. Praise the Lord!
Greg
Reading through the passage brought to mind the accusation made against the Apostle Paul, recorded in Acts 19:26 where the author wrote, "You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of
Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all."
The Psalmist's words also reminded me that ours is a living God and that unlike the idols of the nations, our Savior partook of flesh and blood. "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" scripture says. "Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity, in perfect harmony the man who is God" the Christian song goes. As I considered the wonder of this truth it seemed so apparent that Christ is all that the idols of the nations were not.
The idols of the nations were gold and silver while He was flesh and blood.
They could not speak, but of Christ it was said that "never has a man spoken the way this man speaks."
The idols had eyes, but could not see. Christ had eyes that could see Zaccheus up in a tree, see a demon possessed man and even see the demons that possessed the man.
The idols had ears, but could not hear. Christ had ears that would listen to the voices of men, while able also to hear the thoughts and intentions of their heart.
The idols had noses, but could not smell. Christ had a nose that smelled the fragrance that filled the house when Mary had anointed His feet with a "very costly perfume".
The idols had hands, but they could not feel. Christ had hands that could hold a child in His arms, cleanse the leper, make the blind man see and feel the nails that were driven through his hands.
The idols had feet, but they could not walk. Christ had feet that could walk the road to Golgotha and walk on the sea of Galilee.
The idols could not make a sound with their throat. Christ, while suffering great cruelty uttered words that would change the lives of men forever, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" and "It is finished"!
Ours is a living God. Praise the Lord!
Greg
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Not What I Have but Who I Know
I have so much to be thankful for! My wife, my daughter and son, their spouses, my two beautiful granddaughters, my church and my job would be the beginning of a lengthy list if I attempted to compose one. As I considered the many things that I have to be thankful for this past "Thanksgiving" day, it occurred to me that what I was most thankful for was not what I had but who I knew. I am most thankful that I have been privileged by God to know Him and His Son Jesus! It is only because I know Him that I can begin to fully appreciate and enjoy everything else that He has blessed me with and that I am thankful for. As recipients of God's grace, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ should be the most thankful of all men. Knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ should never be taken for granted. We are of all men most blessed with this divinely given knowledge.
In the following passage of scripture found in Ephesians 1:3-14, the Apostle Paul was inspired to summarize much of what God has done on behalf of the believer in Christ:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will,according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Praise and thanks be to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!
In the following passage of scripture found in Ephesians 1:3-14, the Apostle Paul was inspired to summarize much of what God has done on behalf of the believer in Christ:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will,according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Praise and thanks be to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!
Friday, April 27, 2012
More Than I Asked For
During a recent Sunday morning message, my pastor was speaking on Colossians
3:12 and referenced the account in Matthew 18:23-27 as an illustration of the
"heart of compassion" Paul was writing about in the Colossian
passage. In the Matthew account Jesus speaks of the "king who wished to
settle accounts with his slaves". One of the slaves was said to have
"owed him ten thousand talents", an amount that "he did not have
the means to repay". We are not told how or why the slave's debt had
become so great and I suppose that it doesn't matter. That his debt was great
and his ability to repay impossible appear to be the picture presented for us
to see.
As the Matthew passage continues, we see that all that the slave possesses is to be used as a debt payment to his master. He is to be sold, along with his wife and children, and all that he has, and the sum of all is to be given to the king. We are not told that this will actually satisfy the entire debt that he owes but that it will be what is required of him. Burdened by this debt he could not pay, the slave falls prostrate before his lord and asks him to have patience with him while he repays him everything. The king's response to the slave was nothing short of incredible and I believe one that the slave would not have imagined or anticipated. He released the slave and forgave him the entire debt owed!
As my pastor continued with the message, I found myself drawn to pondered this parable that the Lord had spoken to His disciples in response to a question posed by Peter. I was struck by what had happened in the account. The slave had received so much more than he had asked for! He had asked for patience but had received mercy. He had asked for the opportunity to pay his debt over time but the debt was forgiven in a moment. It seemed as if I had much in common with this slave. Many years ago the Lord had graciously spoken to my heart and had lovingly made me aware of the debt and burden of sin that was mine. And as He revealed to me that Jesus had died for my sins and that I could find forgiveness in Him, by grace and through faith I believed. A slave to sin, I had asked the King of Kings to forgive me.
As I look back I am convinced, that like that slave, I to have received much more than I had asked for. I had asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins but I received forgiveness on a grander scale than I ever could have imagined. Past, present and future; they were all forgiven. When I had asked for the forgiveness of sin I was made a new creature in Christ, receiving new life and life more abundant. When I had asked for forgiveness of sin I received victory over sin. When I had asked for forgiveness of sin I received peace, hope, joy, the Father's love and all that pertains to life and godliness. When I had asked for forgiveness of sin I received a multitude of promises, for this life and for life eternal. After almost 30 years I am still growing to understand them all. When I had asked for forgiveness I received the ability to have a wonderful relationship with my wife and the ability to experience the true joys that would follow will children and grandchildren. Yes, like the slave in Matthew 18, I received so much more than I had asked for. Praise God! May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified as we rejoice with thankfulness in all that He provides.
As the Matthew passage continues, we see that all that the slave possesses is to be used as a debt payment to his master. He is to be sold, along with his wife and children, and all that he has, and the sum of all is to be given to the king. We are not told that this will actually satisfy the entire debt that he owes but that it will be what is required of him. Burdened by this debt he could not pay, the slave falls prostrate before his lord and asks him to have patience with him while he repays him everything. The king's response to the slave was nothing short of incredible and I believe one that the slave would not have imagined or anticipated. He released the slave and forgave him the entire debt owed!
As my pastor continued with the message, I found myself drawn to pondered this parable that the Lord had spoken to His disciples in response to a question posed by Peter. I was struck by what had happened in the account. The slave had received so much more than he had asked for! He had asked for patience but had received mercy. He had asked for the opportunity to pay his debt over time but the debt was forgiven in a moment. It seemed as if I had much in common with this slave. Many years ago the Lord had graciously spoken to my heart and had lovingly made me aware of the debt and burden of sin that was mine. And as He revealed to me that Jesus had died for my sins and that I could find forgiveness in Him, by grace and through faith I believed. A slave to sin, I had asked the King of Kings to forgive me.
As I look back I am convinced, that like that slave, I to have received much more than I had asked for. I had asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins but I received forgiveness on a grander scale than I ever could have imagined. Past, present and future; they were all forgiven. When I had asked for the forgiveness of sin I was made a new creature in Christ, receiving new life and life more abundant. When I had asked for forgiveness of sin I received victory over sin. When I had asked for forgiveness of sin I received peace, hope, joy, the Father's love and all that pertains to life and godliness. When I had asked for forgiveness of sin I received a multitude of promises, for this life and for life eternal. After almost 30 years I am still growing to understand them all. When I had asked for forgiveness I received the ability to have a wonderful relationship with my wife and the ability to experience the true joys that would follow will children and grandchildren. Yes, like the slave in Matthew 18, I received so much more than I had asked for. Praise God! May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified as we rejoice with thankfulness in all that He provides.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
"Vantage Point"
I remember watching a movie several years ago that was called "Vantage Point". The movie was unique in that after a period of time it would start over from the beginning but show the events from another "vantage point" of a different character in the movie. I didn't understand what they were doing at first but it became evident as this scenario repeated itself. I'm reminded of that movie when I read the various Gospel accounts of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you read and consider the accounts presented by the different authors, you get a sense of the "vantage points" that the writers had, as well as those that would have been had by a multitude of different persons. The movie "Vantage Point" was just that, a movie with fictional characters. The Resurrection Story that is remembered and retold year after year at Easter is a grand recollection of a most wondrous real life event that occurred two thousand years ago. Although I would like to attempt it someday, I could not begin to speak to each of the "character's" vantage point in this short article. But I would like to take an abbreviated look at just a few of them.
I would like to begin with the vantage point of Pilate. As governor, Pilate had found himself caught up in a matter that he wanted little to do with. He understood Christ's accusers to have handed Him over to the governor out of envy (ill will, jealousy, strife). But his actions demonstrate that he did not comprehend the depth and capacity of the envy and hatred for Christ that was in the hearts of the people. The governor had proclaimed to the people, that after inquiry, he had found no guilt in Jesus. This was no great feat for the governor. He had found none because there was none to be found. We read in John's Gospel that Pilate "made efforts to release" Jesus and it is in these "efforts" that we find his miscalculation into the hearts of men. Simply proclaiming to the people that Jesus was an innocent man was not sufficient to affect His release.
We find in Matthew's Gospel, that Pilate looked to what one might consider a political practice as a means of securing Christ's release. Apparently a tradition had evolved, most likely to appease relationships between the Romans and the Jews, whereby the governor would pardon a Jewish prisoner during the Passover festival. I suppose that in Pilate's mind the choice would be simple. I have often thought that he may have even considered himself clever for proposing the option. Release Jesus or Barabbas?
The contrast between these two men was quite vivid and clear. One had been found innocent of the charges brought against Him; a man declared to have no guilt in Him. We are told the other was a "notorious prisoner"; one who had been imprisoned for robbery, insurrection and murder. But it only took some persuasion from the chief priests and elders for the crowd of people to cry out for Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion. Pilate went on to declare himself innocent of "this Man's blood" as he carried out the wishes of the people, the crucifixion of Christ.
How about the vantage point of this man whose name was Barabbas? The choices he had made in his life, including his involvement in the insurrection and his acts of robbery and murder had caught up with him. I believe it is quite probable that he was scheduled to be crucified on the day of Christ's crucifixion and there is little doubt in my mind that absent the divine will of God, it would have been Barabbas crucified between the two other thieves that day. He had been held in prison and the time had come for him to pay the penalty for his crimes.
I suppose, as any man would have, he had thought much about the approaching day. Perhaps he had reflected on his life, his family and the choices that had brought him to this place. I have no doubt that he was aware of the cruel means by which his life would end in crucifixion. In as much as it was possible for any man to do, apart from reliance on the Divine One, he had attempted to prepare himself for this end. Given his crimes, I can only assume that the thought of a pardon from the Roman governor had not crossed his mind.
In fact, Barabbas may have considered it somewhat of a cruel joke that he would be drug into the debate regarding the release of this man named Jesus. Perhaps it even seemed like further punishment that he would be given some false sense of hope for his freedom. But when he heard the crowd crying out for his freedom and for the crucifixion of Jesus, any false sense of hope must have quickly transitioned to something that was quite real and possible. And then the unexpected happened. Though found to be a robber, murderer and insurrectionist, Pilate ordered Barabbas' release from prison to satisfy the people.
The third person I would like to consider is the Roman Centurion. He would oversee the crucifixion of Jesus and the other two criminals on that most memorable day. It seems most likely that the centurion had presided over other crucifixions before this day. He would carry out the directive to crucify Christ despite any apprehension he may have had to do so. Perhaps there had been other innocent men wrongly condemned to die this death but never one as innocent as Jesus.
It seems that one of the centurion’s duties in this process was to observe the crucifixion and to make a declaration of death of the one crucified upon their death. In Mark 15:39 we read that, “When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Again, it appears evident that the centurion overseeing Jesus’ crucifixion had observed other men, perhaps many men, breath their last breath. But it was the way Jesus “breathed His last” that caught his attention and prompted him to proclaim that He was truly the Son of God.
As you read and consider the accounts presented by the different authors, you get a sense of the "vantage points" that the writers had, as well as those that would have been had by a multitude of different persons. The movie "Vantage Point" was just that, a movie with fictional characters. The Resurrection Story that is remembered and retold year after year at Easter is a grand recollection of a most wondrous real life event that occurred two thousand years ago. Although I would like to attempt it someday, I could not begin to speak to each of the "character's" vantage point in this short article. But I would like to take an abbreviated look at just a few of them.
I would like to begin with the vantage point of Pilate. As governor, Pilate had found himself caught up in a matter that he wanted little to do with. He understood Christ's accusers to have handed Him over to the governor out of envy (ill will, jealousy, strife). But his actions demonstrate that he did not comprehend the depth and capacity of the envy and hatred for Christ that was in the hearts of the people. The governor had proclaimed to the people, that after inquiry, he had found no guilt in Jesus. This was no great feat for the governor. He had found none because there was none to be found. We read in John's Gospel that Pilate "made efforts to release" Jesus and it is in these "efforts" that we find his miscalculation into the hearts of men. Simply proclaiming to the people that Jesus was an innocent man was not sufficient to affect His release.
We find in Matthew's Gospel, that Pilate looked to what one might consider a political practice as a means of securing Christ's release. Apparently a tradition had evolved, most likely to appease relationships between the Romans and the Jews, whereby the governor would pardon a Jewish prisoner during the Passover festival. I suppose that in Pilate's mind the choice would be simple. I have often thought that he may have even considered himself clever for proposing the option. Release Jesus or Barabbas?
The contrast between these two men was quite vivid and clear. One had been found innocent of the charges brought against Him; a man declared to have no guilt in Him. We are told the other was a "notorious prisoner"; one who had been imprisoned for robbery, insurrection and murder. But it only took some persuasion from the chief priests and elders for the crowd of people to cry out for Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion. Pilate went on to declare himself innocent of "this Man's blood" as he carried out the wishes of the people, the crucifixion of Christ.
How about the vantage point of this man whose name was Barabbas? The choices he had made in his life, including his involvement in the insurrection and his acts of robbery and murder had caught up with him. I believe it is quite probable that he was scheduled to be crucified on the day of Christ's crucifixion and there is little doubt in my mind that absent the divine will of God, it would have been Barabbas crucified between the two other thieves that day. He had been held in prison and the time had come for him to pay the penalty for his crimes.
I suppose, as any man would have, he had thought much about the approaching day. Perhaps he had reflected on his life, his family and the choices that had brought him to this place. I have no doubt that he was aware of the cruel means by which his life would end in crucifixion. In as much as it was possible for any man to do, apart from reliance on the Divine One, he had attempted to prepare himself for this end. Given his crimes, I can only assume that the thought of a pardon from the Roman governor had not crossed his mind.
In fact, Barabbas may have considered it somewhat of a cruel joke that he would be drug into the debate regarding the release of this man named Jesus. Perhaps it even seemed like further punishment that he would be given some false sense of hope for his freedom. But when he heard the crowd crying out for his freedom and for the crucifixion of Jesus, any false sense of hope must have quickly transitioned to something that was quite real and possible. And then the unexpected happened. Though found to be a robber, murderer and insurrectionist, Pilate ordered Barabbas' release from prison to satisfy the people.
The third person I would like to consider is the Roman Centurion. He would oversee the crucifixion of Jesus and the other two criminals on that most memorable day. It seems most likely that the centurion had presided over other crucifixions before this day. He would carry out the directive to crucify Christ despite any apprehension he may have had to do so. Perhaps there had been other innocent men wrongly condemned to die this death but never one as innocent as Jesus.
It seems that one of the centurion’s duties in this process was to observe the crucifixion and to make a declaration of death of the one crucified upon their death. In Mark 15:39 we read that, “When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Again, it appears evident that the centurion overseeing Jesus’ crucifixion had observed other men, perhaps many men, breath their last breath. But it was the way Jesus “breathed His last” that caught his attention and prompted him to proclaim that He was truly the Son of God.
What was so remarkably different from the way Jesus had breathed His last breath compared to the other men the centurion had witnessed doing the same? To answer this question, I believe all one needs to do is consider just what or who it was that the centurion was observing first hand. All other men who had breathed their last before him had been sinners at best. Jesus had never committed a single act of sin. All others had died bearing their own sins while Jesus died bearing the sins of the world. And if there is such a thing as the most profound difference, perhaps is was that all other men crucified before the centurion had had their lives taken from them while Jesus had freely given His. I believe it was these profound differences that made Jesus’ last breath unlike any other the centurion had witnessed.
As I conclude this article I would like to look briefly at the vantage point of one other. Mine. My vantage point and that of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ is one of Divine revelation. It is a gift from God. It is by His doing that I have the vantage point of knowing the truth of the Gospel of grace, the truth regarding Christ’s death, His burial and His resurrection. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”. Praise the Lord for the vantage point of knowing that which is of first importance!
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