Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.This is the International Year of Astronomy, according to today's Wall Street Journal. Four centuries ago, Galileo Galilei refined a simple telescope (a common toy in his day) and used it to change the way we see the universe. His observations proved that our planet revolves around the sun and opened our eyes to the cosmos.
Last month, NASA launched its $591 million Kepler orbital observatory. Next month, the European Space Agency plans to launch its $2 billion Herschel and Planck orbital observatories. Such remarkable innovations and the discoveries they will make are all the descendants of Galileo's achievements. At his death in 1642, few imagined the future significance of his life's work.
Consider that theme on this Good Friday. When Jesus of Nazareth died 20 centuries ago, few who witnessed his execution knew its eternal significance. Skeletal remains from other ancient crucifixion victims tell us that nails were driven through Jesus' wrists and heels. He then died from blood loss, exhaustion, exposure, shock, and suffocation.
Upon his death, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:52). This curtain was 60 feet tall, several inches thick, made of purple linen. It separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the world, parting only to allow the High Priest to enter on the annual Day of Atonement. Now it was torn in two, but no one understood the significance of this strange miracle.
Today Jesus functions as our Great High Priest, severing forever the curtain which separated us from our Holy God. Not from bottom to top, but from top to bottom—from heaven to earth. Christianity is not a religion made by humans, but a relationship initiated by God at the cost of his Son.
On this day of sacrifice and death, ask yourself these questions:
● Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Lord, receiving the gift of eternal life he died to give? If not, will you today?
● If you have made Jesus your Lord and King, have you responded to his sacrifice with your own? When last did it cost you something significant to follow him?
● Do you know someone who does not know your Lord? Will you pray for that person by name? Will you ask God to help you share his love in yours?
This morning, I'm asking God to show me how to live for the One who died for me. Will you join me?
No comments:
Post a Comment