Friday, April 10, 2009

Good Friday - April 10, 2009

Good morning on this Good Friday! How can I write about anyone other than Jesus today? Today we recall what has come to be known as Good Friday on the calendar. On this day almost 2,000 years ago, a man died on the cross. The Romans crucified many during their day. In fact two others also died on the cross on that same day. Somehow this one man stands out from all the others. The Roman governor, Pilate, posted a sign above this particular man. The sign read: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. The Jews tried to have Pilate change his sign to read "He said, I am King of the Jews," but Pilate, finally showing a little backbone, refused to change the sign.

Many of us can be like Pilate in our lives. Turning this way and that until finally - enough! - and we start making decisions for ourselves. I see many in this world like that. They know that something is missing in their lives and they turn from one religion to another, away from religion entirely, and then back to some other belief. Eastern religions often have a strong theme of self-denial that appeals to many, and seekers will often look that way. Although persons of great intellectual accomplishments may deny it, I see little difference between them and simpler folk in this matter. Everyone seeks and everyone finds something. However, in the end there seems to be only two directions. In one the seeker finds a 'religion' that suits his own self, placing the seeker in the center. The other direction places God in the center and the seeker in need of salvation. Many religions will claim the latter, but there is one important and defining difference. That man on the cross. Do you believe that he died for our sins and rose again on the third day?

Have a great Easter weekend in Christ!

Bucky

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