Our Rescuer

(Author's Note: The University begins Easter Break this weekend, so I will be taking a break as well. WftW will return April 4th. Have a wonderful and blessed Resurrection Weekend! Jim)

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8 NIV)

Substitutionary atonement is probably the most misunderstood doctrine in Christianity.  It is the theological term describing the necessity of Jesus’ death for our salvation.  It is also the cause for much of the historical derision of the Christian faith.  Gods don’t die.  For those tied to the Abrahamic roots of faith, Judaism and Islam, it is just proof that Jesus was merely human; He was no god at all.  For others, a religion based on a god who died is weak and powerless.  Gods are not mortal; they are not like us.  They are beyond us.

As Paul accurately describes (I Corinthians 1:23), the idea of God dying for our sins is blasphemy to some and foolishness to most.  But with the eyes of faith, it makes perfect sense.

It is not uncommon for people to risk or give up their lives in order to save others.  The Marine who falls upon a grenade to save his buddies around him.  The fireman rushing into a burning house to rescue a crying toddler.  Or the bystander jumping into a frozen lake to save a drowning child.  Why, then, isn’t it conceivable that God would seek to rescue us from eternal death?

There was no one else who could rescue us and we were powerless to save ourselves. The willingness of God to send Jesus on a “suicidal” mission to earth and Jesus’ willingness to accept it are proofs of just how much we are loved. 

This is why today, Friday, is commemorated as “Good Friday.”  The death of Jesus was good for us, essential, in fact.  Without it, we would be lost forever.  And it tells us just how much the God of the Universe loves us.  

Today, know how much God loves you.  In order to rescue you, Jesus gave up His life.  That may seem foolish to most, but it sounds like good news to me.

© Jim Musser 2018