It Is Gone!

Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. Mark 15:46-47

What happened with Jesus at the cross? Why do we who believe in Him make such a big deal out of it? Without the words and actions of Jesus, it would be just another of many executions carried out by a world ruler such as the Roman Empire. Two other men died that same day on similar crosses, and I suspect that not one of us can name either of those men. So, what's the big deal with Jesus?

A little story may help.

Imagine moving into a new house. It is a lovely house and only grows more so as the years pass by. You have added a room or two, and made it more comfortable. But, out back in the yard, way back in a weedy corner of the property that no one sees, sits a barrel of waste with a biohazard sign on it. Just yesterday the ruling authority raised a tax on barrels such as that one, and the new tax will ruin you. All that you have will be taken from you, and you will live your days in such complete misery that no one can see an end to it.

You stare in mute horror at a newspaper trying to distract your worried mind with the latest news. You see that a man was executed yesterday. Strangely, this man had only one charge against him, but it does not appear to be a crime as far as you can tell. King of some religious people, what does that even mean? You look out back wondering why he had to die, and suddenly do the classic double take. The biohazard barrel that will surely ruin you tomorrow is gone! Where did it go?

Rushing outside to take a closer look, you find a note. Jesus, that man who died on a crimeless charge yesterday, left a receipt for you. It states that your toxic waste was disposed of as far as the east is from the west. Where? The term written in what appears to be blood at the bottom states, Paid In Full. The mystery only grows more mysterious, but your relief is beyond words! When the neighborhood accuser points his beady eyeballs at your house, there will be no biohazard barrel for him to point at. It is gone!

And that, my dear friends, is my poor way of describing the redemption of the cross. The sin on my record simply disappeared from my account; and the only remaining invoice states, Paid In Full, with the signature of Jesus on the bottom.

Love, peace, and grace to you in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Bucky