When Jesus was crucified, there were two other men crucified alongside. The first criminal hurled insults at Jesus stating, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" The second criminal rebuked him saying, "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." (Luke 23:39-41)
The first criminal did not acknowledge his guilt and remained in his sin. The second criminal recognized his guilt and reached out to Jesus saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)
Each man eventually dies and stands before God to give an account of himself. The first man stands alone. The second man stands with Jesus as his substitute.
Just as each of these two men, each of takes our place on either side of Christ. The one that we identify with, the one that represents your view of Christ will indicate where you will spend eternity.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Man
In October, 1555, two men were being led from Bocardo Prison in England. Hugh Lattimer and Nicholas Ridley had been imprisoned for refusing to recant their faith in Jesus Christ. However, today they were not being released, but led to the town square were they would be burned at the stake.
As they approached the stakes, Lattimer turned to his companion and said, "Be of good cheer Ridley, Play the man."
We sometimes look to athletes or other hero-types and declare that 'they are the man!' In John 19, we read of Jesus appearing before Pontius Pilate. After being scourged, Jesus is brought before the crowds to which Pilate states, "Behold, the man!'
What Pilate didn't realize, but Jesus was indeed, 'The Man.' Jesus represented all that we could or should be. Our dads are imperfect as are any of the male figures in our lives. And while we are not perfect, we still have the responsibility to 'play the man.' But when in comes to declaring someone as 'the man' we should look to Jesus as our example.
As they approached the stakes, Lattimer turned to his companion and said, "Be of good cheer Ridley, Play the man."
We sometimes look to athletes or other hero-types and declare that 'they are the man!' In John 19, we read of Jesus appearing before Pontius Pilate. After being scourged, Jesus is brought before the crowds to which Pilate states, "Behold, the man!'
What Pilate didn't realize, but Jesus was indeed, 'The Man.' Jesus represented all that we could or should be. Our dads are imperfect as are any of the male figures in our lives. And while we are not perfect, we still have the responsibility to 'play the man.' But when in comes to declaring someone as 'the man' we should look to Jesus as our example.
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