The Day of Reckoning

“Will there ever be justice? Will there ever be accountability for the evil that has been done?”

We had a rule in our home growing up; when we kids were home without dad or mom, no friends were permitted in the house. (Image from ppic.org)

One day when I was home alone, my friend Steve came over and asked if I wanted to play some ball.  I told him I could not because I had to do chores. He offered to help, so I invited him in.  

Then my heart stopped when I heard the sound of a diesel engine.  

It was my dad. The only person with a diesel in the neighborhood. I told Steve, “Quick, you have to get outside!” As my dad turned in the driveway, Steve and I were casually visiting through the screen door.  

After my dad came in the house I heard, “Clint!” When I walked to the room he was in, he asked if I vacuumed like I was supposed to. I said, “Yes.” Then he pointed out some dirt on the floor. At that point my story fell apart, because Steve vacuumed that room.  

I knew the house rules, but I was trying to lie and get away with it. Instead, I got caught.  

There is coming a day when all of us will get caught. One day every evil deed we have done, we will be held accountable for.  

Jesus once spoke of the future saying, “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:40-42)   

All over the world, evil and injustice exist. And where there is justice, it is not always fair leading us to get angry and frustrated wondering, “Will there ever be justice?  Will there ever be accountability for the evil that has been done?” 

To those who ponder such questions, Jesus gives a resounding, “Yes!”

In the future, Jesus will return to the earth, and when He does, it will be the beginning of the end, when all people will stand before Him in judgement.  

During this time there will be the Great Separation. “What is that?” you ask. Jesus illustrated this through a story about weeds and a wheat crop. He said that when it comes harvest time, the wheat crop will be gathered up and stored, but the weeds will be gathered up and burned. This communicates a future separating out of those who are the children of God and those who are not, those who do good for the glory of God, and those who do not. The ones who are His will be gathered to heaven, but those who are not will be cast into the eternal fiery furnace.    

This is not alarmist language, but the truth about the future. There is coming a day when the earth and all who have ever lived on it, will have an appointment with their Creator. And He will bring this about in His time and way, and it will be done in such a way where everyone will know it is God. In other words, it will not be blamed on climate change, World War III, economic collapse or a terrible disease. It will be planned and carried out by God. On that day, there will be no more mercy, but only divine revenge and judgement for all who have opposed Him.

This appointment cannot be avoided or delayed, only prepared for. Are you ready for it? Now is the day of mercy. Receive heaven’s mercy while it can be found. Jesus, the light of the world, has made a way for you. In the midst of the darkness, accept this good news. Bring this light to live within you. Accept His merciful offer by faith.  

A prayer for you – Lord God, by faith we believe the whole world and all people have a day of reckoning with you. Prepare every heart for that day. If there is a person who is unsure where they stand with you. Bring them to turn and place their faith wholly in you, their Creator. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Brutality of Jesus’ Death

“Jesus was put through inhumane and brutal treatment. Why? There were many ways Jesus could have died, but why this way? Why such a torturous death?”

As I was considering what to write this column, a question came to mind, “Why was Jesus’ death so brutal?” I have never really pondered the thought before. I have read stories in the Bible about His death and even preached on them, and saw the whole scene as vicious, but never asked, “Why was it so brutal?” (Image from godsotherways.com)

Years ago, there was a movie produced that primarily focused on Jesus’ death and it was rated “R,” because of how real the movie made the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. It was gory. The actual historical and biblical account has soldiers spitting in Jesus’ face along with punching and slapping Him. He was stripped down and His back was struck multiple times with a whip containing pieces of bone and metal. This shredded the flesh down to His bones, causing a terribly bloody scene. Afterwards, long and piercing thorns from a tree were woven together to form a fake crown, which was pressed down into Jesus’ skull. He was beaten some more with a wooden stick and forced to carry a long and extremely heavy wooden cross. When He came to a place where He would be crucified, His body was laid down on the cross and nailed to it. One nail in each hand and one through both feet. The three nails kept His body on there for several hours as people milled about mocking, spitting and hurling insults at Him as He slowly inched toward death. Then finally, He died. And just to be sure, soldiers thrusted a spear into His body.

 
Jesus was put through inhumane and brutal treatment. Why? There were many ways Jesus could have died, but why this way? Why such a torturous death? 

Because of the immense wickedness and vileness of sin.

Simply put, the type of death Jesus experienced was to be reflective of how evil sin is.

Read this description about Jesus’ crucifixion, “…he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) Notice the words pierced, crushed, chastisement and wounds. They speak of how awful His death was, because of how awful sin is.

Sin is an invisible curse that indwells the human body and soul of every person. It defiles us. For Jesus once said, “…out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)

And what does God call for in response to this partial list of sins? Death! One must die because of their sin. Jesus’ death was brutal because sin is brutal. It destroys lives and brings about the overwhelming wrath of Almighty God.

Do you see yourself as having this curse of sin within you, and unworthy to receive anything good from God? If not, then it is impossible for you to see the grace and mercy of God in all this suffering and death. Because it was for your dark heart and your disobedience that Jesus endured the cross. He took the brutality so you would not have to.

 
Where is the hope in the ugliness of the cross? It is that Jesus rose from the dead! He defeated, smashed and conquered the beast of sin. He paid your penalty of death His Father demanded, so you would not have to – that is mercy.
Escape the sentence of eternal death this hour. Receive the mercy heaven is extending to you.

A prayer for you – O wise and marvelous God, thank you for helping us to understand the awfulness of sin. We see our own defiled heart and how unworthy we are. We praise you for Jesus choosing to suffer for us. We turn from our ways and toward you. Change us Almighty God! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Where to Find Happiness

“The happiness we are looking for is not found in marriage, success or any other earthly human experience we can control or create for ourselves.”

Have you ever said to a friend or family member, “I just want you to be happy.” as they were considering marriage, a new job or some other major decision? (Image from Sasha Freemind on Unsplash)

Once I watched a documentary on a highly accomplished NBA basketball player from the 1980s and 90s. The program ended with the camera on him as he said, “I have five NBA Championships and I’m world famous. Is that supposed to make me happy?” Then he bowed his head and began to weep.

Happiness is that inner experience some label as a state of contentment and well-being. How many of us want that for ourselves or wish it for those whom we love? It often seems the inner experience of happiness is tied to something external. Like if we find marriage or love externally, that will provide us happiness internally. If we find success externally, that will provide happiness internally. As a result, we search the world over for something that will provide us that inner happiness.

I firmly believe we were all created to want this happiness for ourselves. This is the common human experience. Rich or poor. No matter our race or religion, we hunger to be happy.

Jesus once made a startling claim to a crowd about Himself, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). These words of Jesus show His understanding of the human heart. He knew people were searching outwardly for what they longed for inwardly. Sometime after these words were spoken, Jesus went on to suffer, die, then rise again. After He arose and ascended back to His home in heaven, He sent His Spirit to live on the earth. His Spirit indwells anyone who turns from their evil ways and trusts in Jesus alone for complete forgiveness for all they have ever done wrong. When this happens, the Spirit brings the life of Jesus into that individual which gives, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Right there, that is what every human truly longs for. It is something deeper and more profound than superficial happiness.

What we are looking for is not found in marriage, success or any other earthly human experience we can control or create for ourselves.

The contentment, joy and meaning in life we seek is found in Jesus and nowhere else. And it is not something He dispenses outside of Himself. He embodies it all. When we come to our senses and realize we have been going after the wrong things and receive the Spirit of Jesus within us, we receive all of who He is.
Are you ready to stop going here and there looking for temporary happiness? Are you ready to surrender all to Christ?

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will lead those who are searching for contentment and inner well-being to Christ. Open their spiritual eyes to see that Jesus is all they are looking for, that in Him all their desires and longings will be met. Bring them to surrender all, to turn from their ways and trust in You with all their heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.