In Pilate’s court, an innocent man was condemned to die a
torturous death. He had been given the 39 lashes already – a scourging with
razor sharp whips that tore into his skin, and his head was adorned with a
crown of thorns… he was starting to look like pulp; bloody pulp.
What was this man’s crime against his own people?
He called himself the Son of God.
He said he was the forgiveness of sins.
He said he was The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
Some people believed him, especially those who had been with
Him, who had touched him, who he had healed and delivered. But those who didn’t
believe him were more influential in the government of the people.
If he were the son of God, why didn’t he call down the host
of heaven to slay his accusers!
He had said to his disciples earlier that this was the
reason he came to the world; to give his life. No one could take his life from
him, but he willingly gave it. “Greater love hath no man than this; that he
would give his life for his friends”.
He was condemned to be crucified, and to Calvary he went to
die for the sins of the whole world.
No other reason than love. Greater love.
On the cross he took our sins, being punished for the debt
he did not owe. We owed in righteousness, he owed nothing for he was perfect.
But he exchanged our sin for his righteousness on that cross where he died.
This is what he meant when he said he is The Way. There is
no other route to perfection, to righteousness, and ultimately to God except
though the sacrifice that he made on our behalf. We simply cannot be perfect
enough, no matter how hard we try.
3 days after his death, he rose again! … Unbelievable?
The intriguing thing about this man was the boldness with
which he spoke and the things which he spoke. For example, he had told his
disciples earlier that he would go to the capital city and die and rise again.
Who says that?
He called himself the son of the Almighty God. Who claims
that?
He called himself the forgiveness of the world’s sins. Who
takes that responsibility?
Nobody.
Just him.
His messages were simple but hard to believe because they
were incredibly true! They pierced to the innermost being and shook your
foundation. One writer said “These messages of Jesus Christ are for the will
and the conscience, not for the head. If you dispute the sermon…with your head,
you will blunt the appeal to your heart.”1
That is why you must come to Jesus Christ as a child, not as
an adult. You must listen with the heart and believe this man Jesus. Truth is
it’s all or nothing at all.
Now, we know that when we believe Jesus, we receive eternal
life and have found the way to The Father. What if we do not believe? What if
we reject Jesus?
If we reject Jesus, we automatically accept another way.
There are other ways, the way of Philosophy, legalism, doctrine, rituals and
rites, idolatry, self-love and self-righteousness, pride, witchcraft, cultism, etc.
but where do they lead to?
They are all our own efforts to be perfect or powerful or
fulfilled. But let’s face it; in our own strength and mental capability, we can
never be perfect enough for a Holy God. And if The Way (Jesus) leads to life,
all other ways lead to death.
If we love our family and friends, we would want them on The
Way and that’s why we tell them the good news: Reconciliation with God the
Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Rejecting Jesus is not a good
option.
His own words in John 3:16-21
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but
whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed
in the name of God's one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved
darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does
evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds
will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so
that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through
God." NIV
Only Jesus could say words like this with such boldness and
certainty. This explains why he gave himself up to a tortuous death; that there
would be a way for you and me to escape condemnation.
It all comes down to this question; will you believe in the
Son of God?
Will you pray for others to believe if you believe already?
Rom 10:8-13
But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in
your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are
proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with
your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says,
"Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew
and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on
him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved."
NIV
References
1 Oswald Chambers (1963) My utmost for His
highest; July 1 The inevitable penalty
Picture from Ron Dicianni
