Don't Get off Message

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. but its death will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives. those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity." John 12:24-25 NLT

(Photo courtesy of Rodney S. Braun)

Cain murders Abel in the very first family. His act separates him from Adam and Eve and alienates him from the rest of the family and the question of why bubbles up. Yet God didn't allow revenge. He protected Cain. Why?

Cain cannot stay near the garden of Eden. Yet God in his mercy allows him to bear a mark that declares this man is set outside the realm of vengeance even though he kills his brother. Grace brands the murderer. Why?

Do I feel outrage or sad about God's grace and forgiveness? One big question arises: If I choose the path of forgiveness, how do I walk in the humility of grace towards the one who robs another of her life?

Jesus even addresses murder at the thought level in Matthew 5: 21-22. There is not a single person who can deny being angry with another person or calling someone a fool. This challenges me to quit making comparisons or judging myself according to the yardstick of someone else's sin. I need grace. I need the forgiveness of the cross. I am not without sin.

I pull weeds in the garden like I deal with anger and resentment. It feels like a never-ending job.

"Don't get off message."

"Don't get off message."

Do I feel an impetus to share the love of Jesus with those around me? Do I feel an urgency to pray or to intercede for those that have no idea of the magnitude of grace, hope and peace delivered to us through Christ's death on the cross? Unconditional love is available for all to choose or reject. Freedom from shame's suffocation exists. Restoration of honour and identity lies in store for those who embrace Jesus' death on the cross. Murderers can avail themselves of this gift and be forgiven.

"Don't get off message."

"Don't get off message."

The repetition of the phrase lingers. A book by Tim Keller, 'The Art of Preaching' pushes into my mind. Tim Keller's premise about preaching the Word of God centers on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Keller declares effective preaching occurs when this is the central message of each sermon. Is this what it means to stay on message?

The cross of Jesus Christ addresses culture, every age and generation. The plan of redemption is found on page after page from the Old Testament to the New, from the Torah to the Psalms to Revelation. It erases speculation, presupposition, the bias of opinion and ignorance. The gospel, or the good news that God mends the broken covenant people made exists throughout the Bible.

What is our message?

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view . Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Corinthians 5:14-21 NIV)

Our message is:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

We need to rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment so let's ask for it.

Jesus said, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Mt 10:15 NIV)

Let's stay on message, Jesus loves all the children of the world. Do they know that?