Down-To Earth Faith

cavell · #1 12th February 2010, 06:06 AM

"God anointed Jesus of Nazereth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him" Acts 10:38

God has done something about the evil and suffering in our world. Over two thousand years ago, he sent his son into one of the worlds worst trouble spots - Palestine. He grew up to become a carpenter living in a country occupied by foriegn troops.

Surrounded by violence, poverty, and disease, Jesus spent his life bringing the love of God to ordinary people, He healed the sick. He taught people to love those who hated them. He showed people how much God loved them. He turned the minus of their lives into a glorious plus. "God anointed Jesus of Nazereth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him" Acts 10:38

But Jesus also made some powerful enimies. In the end the politicians fixed it for him. He was arrested beaten up, and handed over to the occupation troops. They took him to the local killing ground, and put him to death. If there had been T.V. then, it might have made the evening news. "And we are witnesses of all these things which he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed hanging on a tree" Acts 10:39

Some say that Christian faith is out of touch with reality. But the life and death of Jesus show that this simply cannot be true. A real Jesus was pinned with real nails to a real piece of wood, and shed real blood. The cross was a terrifying, bloody execution. It was as down to earth as you can get. "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed him openly....and he commamded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was ordained by God to be judge of the living and of the dead" Acts 10 40: 42.

Christianity does not turn a blind eye to human suffering. Like the bullitins we see on the news, the crucifixion of Jesus shows us that something has gone terribly wrong with the human race. But uinlike those bullitins the crucifixion also shows us that there is a solution. It tells us that God has done something to change it all! That is His promise to you and I today.

ashout · #2 12th February 2010, 03:32 PM

Amen. Jesus is now the king of kings and lord of lords, and he wants a personal relationship with us all.

swampcat · #3 13th February 2010, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by cavell

Some say that Christian faith is out of touch with reality. But the life and death of Jesus show that this simply cannot be true. A real Jesus was pinned with real nails to a real piece of wood, and shed real blood. The cross was a terrifying, bloody execution. It was as down to earth as you can get.

The lack of reality in my opinion ~ is from the fact that even Christians cannot really fathom this ~ how much more so non-believers ~ Yet ~~

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18"

It would seem that a savior should come on a white horse and deal directly with all the "bad guys" (and Jesus will eventually) like Sir Lancelot or Luke Skywalker. It does not make any sense to the carnal mind that he had to die as a sacrifice for our sins. Not only that but we are to follow his example of service. Our true selfish selves balk at the idea ~~ so people see it as a kinda metaphor ~~ wasn't Jesus a great guy! I will try to be like him as far as reason goes ~~ put something in the offering plate for missions etc. ~~ but really get your hands dirty in service to the gospel? How many take that challenge? I know I fail miserably at it. But thank God for grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit that makes me desire better things!

"For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25"