Who did he die for?

Among unbelievers there is often a talk about why is Jesus’ death so important and what unique is about it. Even I as a Christian don’t realise fully the meaning of this sacrifice. I mean yes, Jesus died for our sins and he saved us, but I cannot exactly imagine, how important it was.

Who would you die for? If it was your life or somebody else’s – who would you put your life for? A family? Parents, brother, sister, you sons and daughters or you wife? For those definitely yes. Would you die for your friends? Probably. Would you die for that homeless who lies outside your house on the bench? Maybe. Would you die for politicians? Or maybe in different words, would you die for a criminal?

It is very difficult to decide. Jesus’ death was unique in that he didn’t die only for those who were closest to him, but he died also for those who hated him. He was able to die both for good or bad people.

Next very unusual issue about Jesus’ death: ressurection. Yes, of course – many people believe in ressurection. However, let’s try to think deeper what was it all about. Imagine Jesus’ death by his eyes. You look at the people around you from the cross, you close your eyes a you are off the game for a while (because you fall unconsciousness). What could Jesus do during next three days we don’t exactly know, but then he suddenly “woke up” to his body. Completely healthy, even when he had holes in his arms and legs (Luk 24:39).

This isn’t just a theological talk, this is really serious. Imagine how he suffered and then he just „jumped out“ to his Daddy. Just to tell him that everything went by the plan. And after that he came back.

The death of Jesus is unique, because it is the very first time we meet something such special and unusual – and some of us consider it as a matter of course in the same time.

Praise if I win or if I lose

Have you ever hated God? I mean as a Christian. Have you ever been angry 

with him? When was it? What situation did cause it? Mostly we don’t berate God – if we have money and if we are simply happy. What if we lose this? Then it is a real challenge of loyality. 

Look at biblical Job. He was OK, rich and had everything he wanted (Job 1:3). However, then he lost everything, including family and friends. Everyone left him. But he stayed loyal and God gave him his reward. When we are with God, it doesn’t mean everything will be easy. Trust in God is important next to the strenght to fight the challenges.

In the movie Facing the Giants the american footbal coach leads his team through the prayer: „God, give us strenght. If we win, we will praise you. If we lose, we will praise you.“ They win a few matches, but then here comes a defeat. But team fill their promise and praise the Lord.

It is not important how hard challenges are, but how much we bet into this and how much we let God lead us through this. Therefore – if you win, praise the Lord. If you lose, praise the Lord.

Faith as a confidence

A life of a Christian is often hit by hard and ugly tests. Paul the Apostle says that the tests are for our own good:

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Hebrews 12:7,8 (KJV)

It is the faith, which helps us pass the tests. Our faith does not consist of only the belief in God, but it also consists of the trust in him. Only he knows our path and only he leads us through the most effective path – the path of fullfillness. It is up to us if we fully trust him or we turn away from the path.

It is like to be a blinder and have a guide, who will lead us to the finish. You can’t see where you put your feet, you can only feel it. So if you feel the dust, you know you’re going through a safe place and then we are satisfied and we do not grumble. However, sometimes the path has to go through thorns (there is no other way at this time) and then we feel how thorns cut into our feet and we feel we cannot go any further. It is very important to realise that the path we are going through, even the most thornful, is still the best way God prepared for us. Any other way would be longer and after a while even more painful.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalms 23:4 (KJV)