Where would you be?
Two thousand years ago:
1. There were only about 300 million people in the world -- just about the population of the United States today.
2. Medicine was in primitive stages with doctors not knowing about the heart, arteries and veins, bacteria, infections, etc.
3. War was crude...with blunt weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Tens of thousands of soldiers could die in a day not to mention the wounded with crude amputations, loss of eyesight, hearing, etc.
4. War also left huge numbers of orphans and widows.
5. Travel was precarious with pirates, robbers, and marauders.
6. Women were second-class, even Romans typically confined their women to their homes.
7. Culture accepted even married men being promiscuous, including homosexuality, but women who were promiscuous were severely punished.
8. Children were considered a burden, with the exception of the eldest son, who was the primary person to inherit and say prayers for the dead of his family. Unwanted girls and boys could be killed by the father, given away, or left on the steps of idol temples to die or be adopted.
9. Romans borrowed gods from Greeks and mixed these gods with gods of their own creation and gods of other peoples they conquered.
10. Enormous temples were built to idol gods with construction sometimes taking up to a hundred years.
11. Jews had mixed witchcraft with tradition. Only a remnant held to the truths of godly prophets and sacred writings.
12. Jews sacrificed animals to atone for their sins.
13. The world was in darkness of human selfishness with man shaping his own religion.
Then Jesus came:
1. He treated the poor, crippled, homeless, women, and children with dignity.
2. He refused to fight with the Romans.
3. He insisted on paying taxes to Rome.
4. He placed higher priority on caring for people than material possessions.
5. He made clear that women, children, criminals, people of other cultures, and even the mentally ill are people of equal value whom God loves and plans good things for them.
6. He made it clear that his blood is the atonement for sins for the whole world.
7. He implemented a religious structure that makes it possible for every person to go directly to God.
8. He made it clear that the poor and the rich are equal in the Kingdom of God.
9. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to do great works in Jesus' name.
10. He removed the shadows of death by promising to be The Resurrection and return for the faithful.
As a result:
1. The whole earth notes division of time by B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (after Christ).
2. Christians have been strategic in the development of:
A. Orphanages
B. Prison reform
C. Treatment of the mentally ill
D. Liberation of women from oppression
E. Implementation of laws protecting children
F. Providing schools and educational movements
G. Science
H. Engineering
I. Discovery
J. Feeding and clothing the poor
K. Providing medical facilities and medical care
...and the list goes on...
Is it any wonder that the cross is a sign of hope? Is it any wonder that the Name of Jesus is so revered? Is it any wonder that Resurrection Sunday is so awesome for those who know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior?
It is reasonable to ask where you would be without Christ. It is also reasonable to ask where will you be this Sunday, and what will you do to express gratitude for God becoming Man, dying on a cross, rising from the grave, and giving to you eternal life.
Resurrection Sunday comes. We will celebrate!
Joyful because of Jesus,
Pastor Bare
John 1:4