Ours is a paradoxical faith, celebrating life, but fully dependent upon a bloody, brutal death. Jesus Christ Himself taught, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..."
Christianity's leader is renown as a man of peace, yet he is expected to return as a conquering king, a roaring lion. Paradoxes.
The symbol of this ancient faith is the execution stake. The method and means of this tortous, state-sponsored oppression was a slow, agonizingly painful demise. It is from this Roman practice we get the term "excruciating."
The show trial of Jesus Christ is the stuff of legal legend. I want to discuss a different trial, yours.
Imagine you're in a courtroom, just found guilty of the terrible, capital crime. It's a good verdict. You did the deed. You got caught. The evidence was clear and legally obtained. No loophole can get you out of the decision. The judge is about to pronounce the sentence upon you, and from the back of the courtroom, a famous man, known as the most virtuous in the community rises and says, "your honor, I wish to take the punishment for this man's crime."
The gallery erupts in gasps and shouts. Bedlam ensues. The judge has to hammer his gavel and shout, "Order in the court" to be heard. Things settle down and the judge calls the good, innocent man forward.
"You understand that this man is guilty of a capital crime? The punishment is death. The community cannot abide such crimes in our midst. Do you still offer to stand for him?"
"Yes, your honor. Yes, your honor," said the stand in.
"The law allows it. The sentence is death. This court is satisfied." In this hypothetical system, there is no automatic appeal. There are no delays. In a few hours the sentence was carried out, and you're a free man.
If justice has been served, what, then, do you owe the good citizen who took your punishment?
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
(Isaac Watts, 1707)
Christianity offers life, thanks to the death of one Man.
(P.S. It's Friday, but Sunday's coming...)
1 comment:
well said brother.
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