Easter has passed, and unfortunately, with it the memory of what the cost of the resurrection really was. I wrote this a while back, and want to share it with you.
A couple of months ago, my pastors’ sermon started with a bit about John 3:16. This got me to thinking about how well known this verse is, and wondering how well it was understood. I wondered what would happen if I put the words- “For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotton Son…” – into a modern context. It went something like this.
Hey, Son. What’s up?
Oh, nothing much. What do you need?
Well, I have all these people down here that aren’t doing right.
What can I do to help?
I need you to come on down and help me save them.
That would work, I just got a new suit with an awesome hat I want to wear.
I think I’d dress down if I were you.
Why?
Well, when you get here they will arrest you, give you a bogus trial, and sentence you to death.
Ouch!
That’s not all. You’ll be forced to carry a heavy cross across town to the top of a hill, while people throw rocks at
you.
Double ouch!!
Yeah, they’ll take your clothes and gamble for them. Then a crown of really sharp thorns will be pushed on your
head.
Gee, you sure make this sound like so much fun!
Have I told you that they will nail your feet and hands to the cross and raise it up, leaving you to die?
Noooo…
Will you come?
Yes, Father. I will be right there.
Stop and think about the tremendous sacrifice that both God and Jesus made. Could you, would you ask your son to do this?
Would you agree if YOUR Father asked the same of you?
A couple of months ago, my pastors’ sermon started with a bit about John 3:16. This got me to thinking about how well known this verse is, and wondering how well it was understood. I wondered what would happen if I put the words- “For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotton Son…” – into a modern context. It went something like this.
Hey, Son. What’s up?
Oh, nothing much. What do you need?
Well, I have all these people down here that aren’t doing right.
What can I do to help?
I need you to come on down and help me save them.
That would work, I just got a new suit with an awesome hat I want to wear.
I think I’d dress down if I were you.
Why?
Well, when you get here they will arrest you, give you a bogus trial, and sentence you to death.
Ouch!
That’s not all. You’ll be forced to carry a heavy cross across town to the top of a hill, while people throw rocks at
you.
Double ouch!!
Yeah, they’ll take your clothes and gamble for them. Then a crown of really sharp thorns will be pushed on your
head.
Gee, you sure make this sound like so much fun!
Have I told you that they will nail your feet and hands to the cross and raise it up, leaving you to die?
Noooo…
Will you come?
Yes, Father. I will be right there.
Stop and think about the tremendous sacrifice that both God and Jesus made. Could you, would you ask your son to do this?
Would you agree if YOUR Father asked the same of you?