|
Week of March 29, 2010
Three Days That Changed The World
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40
The three days that changed the world involve the greatest story ever told, about the greatest offer ever made, by the greatest Person who ever lived. What was this “greatest story every told?” It is about a Man who led a life of incredible compassion, a life filled with love, and a life distinguished by signs and wonders (miracles). After leading this remarkable life, we are told that this Man went to the city of Jerusalem where a close friend betrayed Him to the chief priests and teachers of religious law. They condemned Him to death and delivered Him to the Roman civil rulers who mocked Him, spat upon Him, flogged Him, and then killed Him. However, something amazing happened; three days later He rose from the dead.
Yes, rose from the dead! This is where the greatest offer comes in. In the history of mankind’s usual religious experience, men have traditionally tried to reach up to God in the hope of proving themselves worthy enough for salvation (eternal life). However, there was and is a problem with all men’s natural religious efforts. We are told that all men and women throughout history have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God and hence are unworthy to spend eternity with God in heaven. This greatest story is about God reaching down to mankind with an offer, a free gift. This offer has nothing to do with man’s efforts. Unlike man’s wages which are an obligation by the employer, this free offer, this gift is not about our attempts to be good or religious. This gift is unwarranted and unmerited. One can only appropriate this offer by accepting it.
Ancient writings reveal the identity of this greatest Person. We are told that He would be despised and rejected and smitten and even pierced for our transgressions. However, we are also told that this Man’s punishment would bring us peace and that by His wounds we would be healed for God would lay upon Him the iniquity of all of us. His life became a guilt offering for the sins of the world.
This “greatest Person” is of course Jesus Christ who came into the world not to condemn it but to save man and women through His sacrificial death. That same ancient Book also says that whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but shall have eternal life. It is the greatest story, about the greatest offer, by the greatest Person who ever lived. Have you appropriated this offer? “ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved”. (Acts 16:31) It is that simple. Spread the word!
______________
George Roller, J.D.
Executive Director, Center for Christian Statesmanship
Based on Sermons written by the late D. James Kennedy
About the 60 Second Compass
The 60 Second Compass Archives
|
