Friday, April 4, 2014
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All of a sudden The Son of God was in theaters all over the place. Actually, the movie by that title. And based on an opening weekend, at least, it was drawing a crowd. Of course it's not the first time something like this has happened. "The Passion of the Christ" turned out to be a blockbuster, too. Who'd have guessed that?
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "'Son of God' - On the Screen...Up Close and Personal."
When I was growing up, a movie about Jesus' life wouldn't have shown folks much they didn't know. People knew a lot about Jesus. Not now. Lots of people need an introduction.
Much of this movie was included in the highly successful TV mini-series, "The Bible." And when it portrayed the torture and the crucifixion of Jesus, the Twittersphere lit up with astonished comments. Saying, in essence, "I had no idea Jesus went through all this."
I have a good friend who ministers among his Native American people. He says, "My people consider Jesus an enemy." But he did manage to get a few of them to go with him to see "The Passion of the Christ" which vividly portrays the unspeakable ordeal that Jesus went through. Afterwards, an interesting comment from those folks, "Now we know why you follow Him." I can tell you this, it sure is why I follow Him.
They didn't take His life. He's the Son of God. He'd have to give it. After all, He made the tree they nailed Him to. He made the men who nailed Him there. In His own words, "I lay down my life...no one takes it from Me" (John 10:17-18).
And all the evidence says that He is, in fact, exactly who He claimed to be - the Son of God. Perfect life, incredible miracles, scores of centuries-old Messianic prophecies fulfilled by His life, and an empty tomb. No religious leader can come back from the grave. That's got to be God.
So it really is the Son of God hanging on that cross. And if the Son of God is going to give His life, it's going to be for something really important. That's where it gets emotional for me, because one of the reasons He went through all that was me.
Along with every other person who has done life their way instead of God's way, which, according to the Bible, is every one of us. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory" (Romans 3:23). But sadly, even with the visual of a movie, it's still easy to miss the "personal-ness" of what Jesus came to do.
You can look at Jesus and just see a historical figure - which He clearly is. Or you can see Him as a religious figure, starting a religion to follow and beliefs to believe. But He's so much more. What happened on that cross was intensely personal for each of us. Again, in the Bible's words, "He loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20); my personal Rescuer from the penalty of my personal sin. And He insists on a verdict from each of us; on His death for our sins as our only hope of being forgiven and of ever entering God's heaven.
One day Jesus did a little "focus group" research with His disciples. He asked, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They gave Him the results of the latest poll. "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Nice answer, guys. But then Jesus drills down to what may be the most important question any of us could ever answer. It is our word for today from the Word of God in Matthew 16:15-16, "'But what about you? Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
The question has not changed. Jesus still moves in close and asks - "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" He extends His nail-pierced hand and He waits for your answer, on which your eternity rests.
When you feel the tug of Jesus in your heart, He's come close to offer you life only He can give. It's wise to grab Him while He's close. This might be your time. I hope you'll visit our website and let me show you the rest of the way to begin your relationship with Him. Go to ANewStory.com and get it settled.