Stop right there. That’s exactly where I lost it.
See that line. Well I never should have crossed it.
Stop right there. Well I never should have said
That it’s the very moment that
I wish that I could take back.
- Relient K, Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been
Looking at people these days, I’m guessing that we’ve broken God’s heart all over again, not just because we haven’t put Him first, but because we’ve forgotten Him altogether, and ignored the value of the Cross, the ultimate symbol of our freedom.
What is the Cross, exactly? Is it a mere symbol? No, it’s not. It’s something that is very real, even after around 2,000 years. It’s the ultimate price paid so that we would have a second chance at life. It’s the value not only of our generation, but also those from the past and those that are in the future. It’s death that brought about life. It’s extreme pain because of complete, total, and unconditional love. It’s where Someone bled so that His blood would wash us of guilt.
Why is it that when faith is brought into a conversation, people become still and uncomfortable? I don’t think it’s just a matter of conflicting beliefs. It’s a refusal to face the facts, that because of what we’ve done, Someone had to die. That Someone is the Son of God who is God Himself, a Being so pure and blameless, yet took on the weight of our sin as His own just so we might have another chance. You can just imagine Him saying, “Maybe, just maybe… If I did this, maybe they’ll finally listen. Maybe they’ll finally realize that I love them and I want the best for them. Maybe they’ll see that if I took their burden once and for all and gave my life in exchange for theirs, maybe they’ll stop hurting themselves. Maybe they’ll stop trying to kill themselves and others.
Jesus. Why is mentioning His name enough to bring shouts and arguments? Attach that with His title of “Messiah and Christ” that makes people immediately put their backs up the wall? Why is it those who bear His name as Christians, those who have promised their lives for God, persecuted for being grateful that they’ve been given a second shot at making things right?
Why does the world hate someone who loves it so much, that He was willing to give Himself up in exchange for it? Instead of being thanked, why is He hated even more?
Sorry, Lord, for those times when I wasn’t able to fight for You. Sorry for listening to the whispers and mutterings of everyone else around me but not You.
