We have a guest blogger this week. Paul Cowan is the author of this week’s And Another Thing. Enjoy
On Sunday, Sam talked to us about the oftentimes controversial subject of who Jesus is. We learned that "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). Jesus himself said to Philip, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). We learned that Jesus was there before the Creation, and it was through Him that creation came to be (Colossians 1:15-17). Therefore Jesus is not simply one god among many, but He is the one and only God. We also learned that He sacrificed Himself to make us acceptable and reconcile us to Himself (Col. 1:19-20).
But so what? I mean, that's important, yes, but we already know that, right? Jesus died for our sins and we are forgiven and there you go. As I began to think about this more, though, it occurred to me that those of us who have been Christians for years often don't realize just how revolutionary that last part was. The God of the Universe sent His only son, Jesus, to bridge the gap that had come between us. Upon Christ's death, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple was torn in half. That meant we are no longer required to go through a priest to speak to God. We also no longer have to sacrifice an animal to atone for our own transgressions. Blood is still required, but Jesus' blood was--and continues to be--perfect and sufficient for us all through the end of time. We can now commune with God ourselves, with Jesus as our intermediary. It's all most of us have known for longer than not, but it hasn't always been this way; for humanity and for others who are new in the Faith.
Revolution is defined as "a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.” This is exactly what happened. Jesus, with His sacrifice on the cross, began a revolution that continues to this day. He overthrew sin and death and created a new social order between us and God. We are no longer simply subjects of God, but His children and coheirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17). Truly a game-changer. Colossians 1:13-14 says, "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
For His disciples and close followers, change happened soon after the day He arose from the dead. They believed on Him and were set free. For most of us, this happened many years ago; at a church of our youth, perhaps. But for many others around the world, it happens every day. Each day people who live under the Law and the consequences pursuant to it, choose to follow Jesus and trade the Law for Grace. Each day lives change and are redeemed by a perfect Man who was faithful unto death. Each day, the death and resurrection of Jesus pays our tab now and forever.
For anyone who doesn't understand what I am talking about, I invite you to allow another to pay your debt. Jesus already took care of it; you simply need to acknowledge it and follow Him. For those who never forget or become inured to Christ's sacrifice, please share your joy and perseverance with the rest of us. Help us all to follow your example and stay fresh in Christ's gift. For those, like myself, who oftentimes become complacent and comfortable in grace, join me in awakening to a revolution that calls us to leave the sidelines and avidly play a new game. A game of life and death. A game already played and won by a perfect man who shed His blood to change the rules and give us a chance.
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