"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:4 People are pretty incredible these days, they can accomplish most anything: climb mountains & skyscrapers without ropes, walk across the country on their hands, make a million dollars in a day. I have seen a man run as fast as a car, a teenager finish three doctorates before the age of 18 and a woman dunk a basketball. I have even been shown a picture of a man who climbed the statue of a 14 foot statue of a white stallion in front of PF Chang's. Now that's the 'Stuff of Legend!' We are a nation of people who have "Been there and done that." Just try to go up to someone and talk about your latest trip to Cedar Point or Cabelas, "Oh, that's nothing. I just got done climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in bare feet and killed a Bengal Tiger with my sling-shot on the way down all the while texting my girlfriend. LOL." People are hard to impress these days - because they are quite impressed with themselves. I don't know if this is because we have taken so many selfies; like Narcissus looking into the pool, we have fallen in love with our own image? Or maybe it's because of the horde of 30 year-olds who are living at home with mom are still having their crayon scribbles taped on the fridge? "Oh I am so proud of my son, he drew a stick portrait of me in Marigold orange and Caribbean green!" Whatever the case, the more people that believe they have "been there done that", the less impressed they are with the wonders of God. While his grace fades into the background noise during a Sunday morning snooze at church; human effort, intellect, accomplishment and weirdness is now lauded as the truly significant instrument in the betterment and progress of man. "Did you see the new IPhone? The apps are epic!" "Did you hear about the new book with the crazy cool title by the Christian guy who sees no use for the church and how he is more intimate with others because he is so real and raw and drinks beer like a fish? You got to get it, it will transform your life?" "Did you hear about the new bill being argued in Congress? Yeah, once they make a decision on it, we will all know if the transgender revolution is finally here to stay. And just think, more people taking estrogen and testosterone injections, while getting our Adam's apples shaved off and backsides boosted with Botox, will definitely be the spark we need to usher in a new age of Aquarius. The quantum leap of man. Dude, I can't wait!" But there is something one man did that I still think is a bit more impressive than anything I have ever seen anybody do these days. Before you try to "one up" this guy, just listen and ask yourself, "Have you ever...?"
* Made a mud pie, placed it on the eyes of a blind guy, and then moments later he sees? * Woke up in the middle of a storm, told it to shut up, and it obeyed you while you went back to sleep? * Went to a funeral, touched the guy in the coffin, and he jumped up because he realized he missed his third hour college class? Those things are kind of amazing, don't you think? But these "miraculous happenings" are just a preview of the real show. "Have you ever...?" * Stared down into the mouth of God's wrath, full-force, and withstood it? * Been publicly shamed and discredited in front of a whole city including your brothers, sisters, friends, enemies, uncles, aunts, and your mom - and yet you were totally innocent? * Been spit in the face by the police, or had the local priest and mayor mock you, or had military privates strip you of your clothes and nail you to wood and then hung it up high so everyone could laugh? * Been abandoned by the one parent who loves you the most? "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus endured all of this. He did it all wide-out in the open for all to see. And it was intended to communicate three things: (1) How much he loves us. (2) How serious our offense against God is. (3) What it really takes to satisfy him. Can you do what Jesus did? If you think you are that impressive of a person, just try it...I'll bet you can't. And when you are done playing this fools game called "pride", run to Jesus. Because he is alive... you know?
2 Comments
Tom Tom
6/26/2015 02:28:38 am
Wow Thanks Chris for the reality check. I love that guy Jesus sure looking forward to meeting him.
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Chris
6/26/2015 02:50:12 am
I am too...I am too.
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