Here's Hope

Jerry Rea, Pastor

​

Because He Died We Live

​

I am reveling in the cross. We often pass over this pivotal doctrine because everyone knows it. We live in such an information age. How often we say "I knew that." We say it so very often it gets annoying doesn't it? Knowing the cross by facts and information is so very different from knowing the cross by heart. "By heart" means knowing it in experience. Our hearts are impacted when we experience the relevance of the cross. So many today talk about the relevance or lack of it in our churches. Relevance for many is talking about issues on the news from the pulpit. Telling our folks what Katy Perry said rings a bit trite and doesn't help in my daily walk. Wrestling with our Savior's unjustified death touches me where I live. Why would men kill someone so good? Why would God allow such a thing to happen? Why would Jesus take up this cross when so very many really could care less? Why die for disciples who forsook Him and fled? Why should He care about such folks? Better still, why should I care about that type of person? Is this the punishment a person receives for getting involved?

Knowing our tendency to apathy and evil, Jesus still died for us. I think you know that people often get worse and worse. That is often the tendency.   It is very tempting today to just turn away from the violence, evil and hate in our world. Jesus didn't do that. He not only loved our world, He came into it. Wouldn't it have been easier to just watch from Heaven. Knowing they would kill Him, why did He come? Scarcely for a good man will some die? Jesus loves us while we are yet sinners. That means He died for us when we didn't care. He loved us even though we don't appreciate the fact that we are loved.

Because He loved, He came. Because He came He died. Because He died, we live. By dying on the cross, he deals with our problems. We often pass over problems. We kick the can to the next administration (forgetting we might be the next administration). We go to counselors who help us cope with our pain and often don't deal with the problems which cause the pain. We cover our needs with a thin layer of the paint of "feel goodism." We pour in a generous portion of "you meant well." What about the words "you'll feel better soon"? Do those cliches really solve anything? Jesus' ministry was not one of words alone. He gave His life in healings, teachings, and then the cross. He dealt with the real issues, died for real sin, and opened up a real future for us all. Here's the hope of the cross. Because my sins are dealt with, I can move on with my life. Jesus took responsibility for my mess, and now my burdens have been lifted. I guess it's true what we sing, "God will make a way."

I love you,

Jerry Rea