The Good News!

The story of our redemption is old yet ever new. Over the centuries since Christ died, people all over the world have found power, hope and healing because of it. Perhaps for some it has become so old that it has lost it’s luster, a part of history, a place in time, and little more. For the born-again believer, there is no story that has more significance, or means more than this one. Without the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we would all be without hope, doomed to everlasting punishment and hell. There would be no grace, or mercy for our sin. There simply is nothing in history that brings more hope to the world than this event.

There have been many things happen throughout history which have had huge impacts on the world and mankind. The flood, the rise and fall of empires, wars, the industrial revolution, to mention but a few. Yet, unlike the redemption story, when this old world passes away, they will go with it. The redemption story culmination, will be in the afterlife, when we see the one who saved us from our sins. People may not believe in Jesus and the salvation story, but that will not change reality.

Peoples throughout time have manufactured other beliefs and gods, trying to find a way without having to surrender their lives to Christ. However, they are empty, giving a semblance of relief, but not answering the cry of the soul. Most cults and religions have something or someone, another deity to worship, and some ritual of works to please whom they worship. However, the gospel story is quite different from that. John 4:23 KJV But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

The story of Jesus Christ is a story of life, hope, and peace to a world lost in sin.

This is not a Breaking News story which would hit the headlines of todays news , but suppose it did? Possibly it would read similar to the following.

---

Breaking News!

“Man is convicted and sentenced to death by crucifixion, apparently taking the sins of the whole world upon himself!”

This man who called himself to Son of God, was sentenced to die and was crucified on Friday. When questioned; He did not resist arrest and punishment, He quoted scripture to suggest that this was prophecy, and someone had to die for the sins of the world. There were many sceptics, and much controversy over His crime and there appears to be little evidence to refute His claim.

He was captured and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night. From our understanding, one of His followers turned against Him and betrayed Him to the authorities, following a Passover supper they shared together. It appears the man Jesus was aware of this man’s intention as He dismissed him early from that supper.

There were several unusual happenings during His arrest worthy of mentioning. When this man Judas led the group of authorities to the garden, he told them that the one he kissed in greeting was the one they should arrest. When the authorities went forward to capture this man Jesus, they were repelled as if by an invisible force, falling over backward. One of the men with this Jesus pulled a sword and struck one of the authorities, severing his ear. This man called Jesus, told him to put away his sword, and that those that use it will die by it; then He healed the man’s ear. It appears as though this man Jesus was expecting this, and willingly went with them. However, His followers ran away into the night. Later, it is reported that one called Peter was nearby, and when asked if he knew Jesus, swore he did not. Later there seemed to be some sort of visual exchange between him and this man Jesus. When a rooster crowed nearby, they exchanged glances and Peter fled the court weeping.

There has been a lot of controversy over this man for some years already. Some said He had made Himself a God and therefore it was blasphemy while others quoted things He had said which were evidence of falsehoods. They called in witnesses and even they could not agree. At one point the governor brought a dish of water and actually washed his hands in front of the crowd and said he did not find any fault in Him. That did not seem to change things, the crowd was in an uproar, shouting to crucify Him. Finally, to keep peace the governor gave them what they asked for and sentenced Him to death by crucifixion. The prisoner at one point was flogged very badly, but the crowd was not satisfied unless He was put to death. The governor offered the crowd a prisoner apparently, a murderer, in exchange for this Jesus, and they accepted it.

The trial started during the night and continued the next day until the verdict was reached. He was the most unusual prisoner. He did not resist, and was mostly quiet during the proceedings. By the time he was ready to walk to the place of punishment, He was too weak to carry His own cross, which is a customary practice with crucifixion.

What really struck everyone is that He did not fight death in any way. In fact, it appears as if He was fulfilling a mission. At one point, He called out to someone He called His Father asking Him to not lay this sin to their charge, and to forgive them because they did not realize what they were doing.

There were a couple other prisoners put to death with Him one on each side. They also had a brief exchange, one hurled insults, while the other claimed responsibility for his crime. This man who called Himself Jesus, told the one who accepted his crime, that today he would be with Him in paradise.

Crucifixion is usually a slow painful death, lasting perhaps days. However, there was something different about this one, it appears as though He voluntarily died! One of the soldiers responsible for the crucifixion, thrust his spear into this man Jesus’s heart to be sure He was dead, and water and blood poured from the wound.

There were some most unusual events which happened about the time of His death. It became dark, literally like a solar eclipse, yet there was not one predicted for the day. Besides that, there was an earthquake and graves were opened.  

It was said by one of the  main soldiers, that he believes this man spoke the truth, and was indeed the Son of God. That would explain some of the supernatural happenings which occurred about then. The Jewish synagogue had the big heavy curtain which sealed the Holy of Holies, ripped in half starting at the top and all the way to the bottom, during this event. There was no real explanation to it, other than it was related to the death of this man. It is believed by His followers that this signifies that every person can now have direct connections with God the Father.

There were also reports of graves being opened.

It is still too early to tell how this event could affect everyone.

To be continued

It is not my intention to disrespect my Lord in writing this way. It helps at times to put Biblical stories into perspective, bringing new life and meaning.