History has only one main event.
Mankind’s time line is dotted with important moments: the first spark from the first flint; the rolling of the first wheel; the treating of the first wound. Who dares minimise these events? But who dares compare them with the cross? History has only one main event.
Scripture has only one main event.
Other matters, but only one is essential. The story of Jericho might stir you, but falling walls can’t redeem you. Moses will give you direction through the wilderness, but no solution for your sin. David’s defeat of Goliath might reduce your timidity, but only the cross prepares you for eternity. Scripture has only one main event.
Even in the life of Jesus there is only one main event. For if there is no cross of Christ, then there is no truth to Christ.
And, when it comes to your life, the same is true. To remove the cross is to remove the hinch-pin from the door of hope. The door of your hope. For if there is no cross then there is no sacrifice for sin. If there is no sacrifice for sin then how will you face a sinless God? Will you cleanse your own sin? And if there is no cross of Christ then there is no resurrection of Christ. And if there is no resurrection of Christ, how will you live again? Will you push back your own grave? Forgiveness of sin and deliverance from death, these are the claims of the cross. Let there be no mistake. The cross is not an event in history, it is the event of history.
Whether we believe in Jesus Christ or not, his birth, life, death and resurrection dominate our history. We calculate our dates with reference to him, our justice system reflects upon his teaching. Our systems of government, of education, of social order are all connected in some way to this carpenter from Nazareth.
Abstracted from He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado
Max Lucado describes “3:16” as the numbers of hope, the hope diamond of the Bible. A twenty-six word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. But what does it mean to you and to me?
God so loved: Not an anger filled wrath declaring revenge taking God, but a God who loves.
Loved the world: Not the Europeans, or the wise or the wealthy but simply the world.
That he gave: not words or rules or regulations, edicts or philosophical papers, but his Son, his one and only son.
Why? So that whoever…
Whoever
Whoever is inclusive. The good news that Jesus brings is an open invitation to everyone, because everyone is a whoever.
Whoever unfurls 3:16 as a banner for the ages. Whoever unrolls the welcome mat of heaven to humanity. Whoever invites the world to God.
Whoever is inclusive. The good news that Jesus brings is an open invitation to everyone, because everyone is a whoever.
Believes in him: Whilst the invitation is wide, the application is narrow. You must choose to believe or not to believe. What comes next is a salutary reminder of the consequences of the choice you must make.
This isn’t about getting ahead in life or a better seat at the heavenly dining table, this is about life and death, about eternal life with God or eternal life without him. It;s about choosing to pay the price for you sin on your own or accepting the price Jesus has paid on your behalf.
So, in the end, it’s up to you to choose whether or not to accept this crown jewel of God’s great love. He won’t force it upon you, he won’t back you into a corner and make you an offer you can’t refuse. But he will remind you that the price you will pay for saying no is a price you won’t be able to pay.
If it wasn’t for the love he has for you, he wouldn’t bother to tell you this, but it’s because he can’t bear the thought of heaven without you that he sent his Son into the world to die for you.
