Setting The Stage

            I doubt that many will disagree that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus was the most dramatic scene in all of history (with the lone exception of God creating everything out of nothing, of course).  It is impossible for any human to comprehend the love, mercy, grace, kindness, etc. of God when reflecting on Jesus’ perfect sacrifice of Himself on Calvary.  Paul, who was still trying to fathom the awesomeness of that event, admitted that all else a human can master in this life in worthless in comparison to the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:4-11).

            To fully appreciate and have the faith necessary to be saved, one must come to grips with this act of God.  Jesus’ death (which paid the penalty you owed for sin), burial (which removed the sin He bore for you) and resurrection (which proved His mastery over Satan and sin and death) is the foundation of the Christian’s faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-23).  Only when these facts are firmly understood, can there be the faith needed to respond to God and be saved.

            The Bible is the history of God “setting the stage” for this divine production.  He stated His intention for bringing it to pass at the moment man and woman first sinned (Genesis 3:15).  The lineage of Seth (those who called upon the LORD) began a succession of faithful seekers.  Noah and his family were spared in the great flood, to visualize God’s disdain for sin (rebellion).  The selection of Abraham and his descendants exemplified the kind of faith essential for Jesus’ sacrifice to be effective.  Through Moses, God detailed in writing what He expected all of us to act like.  And with the worship and daily activities of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) He taught what Jesus would do to rid us from the oppression of our sin.  I could go on and on.  Just listen to God speak through His Word, and know that He did all of this for you.

            Is that enough to show you how God really feels about you?  Does it give you a greater appreciation for all of His hard work on your behalf?  How much more do you need to know in order to trust Him completely with your life?  If He was willing to go through all of this so that Jesus’ work on earth would save you from your sin, can you not give up your simple, selfish ways and live with Him – as He wants you to?

Doug