The moral at the end of Aesop's fable "The Fox and the Lion" states...
"Familiarity breeds contempt."
How easy it is to become cavalier about something that becomes so familiar
we barely glance at it as we pass by.
I sometimes fear there is a real danger
for the story of Good Friday
becoming so familiar
for the story of Good Friday
becoming so familiar
that it no longer stirs our emotions.
A recent story in the news that caught my attention was
connected with the Germanwings flight 9525,
It gave me cause to add a fresh insight to the story of Good Friday.
A fifteen year old girl,
one of the 16 students returning home,
met her fellow students at the train station, to take the train to the airport.
At the station this girl suddenly realized
that she had left a bag at her host family's house.
In this bag were her passports and travel documents.
She could not fly home without them !
Her host family kindly offered the solution.
They would take her back to their house, pick up the documents
and then arrive at the airport in time for her to catch her flight with the rest of her group.
This deed of kindness, so graciously given by this host family,
intended for the GOOD of the student
ended with her death.
My thoughts went to Jesus.
His sacrifice,
His sacrifice,
His cruel death on the cross was intended for the GOOD of every man ...
but not every man is saved.
Some reject His gift of life and by default face eternal death.
but not every man is saved.
Some reject His gift of life and by default face eternal death.
I pictured the agony of the host family realizing that what they intended for good
ended with the girl's death.
Then I pictured the heart of God
and the agony of sorrow that He feels for every person
who does not benefit from the priceless gift He offers - forgiveness and eternal life.
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering toward us,
not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance."
2Pe 3:9
but is longsuffering toward us,
not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance."
2Pe 3:9
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that if YOU believe on Him
YOU will not perish but have ever lasting life!"
John 3:16, emphasis mine
YOU will not perish but have ever lasting life!"
John 3:16, emphasis mine
The beauty of the cross is the Love of God
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou all publish some wonderful recipes but this is the best recipe of all - the recipe for everlasting life through the sacrificial death of Christ! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteI am overjoyed to be reminded of God's patience of waiting for all to realize his precious gift to mankind.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear. A great recipe for life. I agree. Let your light so shine.......
ReplyDeleteOh how true this is...a free gift with no strings attached...Amazing Grace toward us.
ReplyDelete