A number of years ago, a tragic accident occurred on the San Mateo Bridge. A minivan was driving eastbound when it crashed into the median. The impact sent two children, a 4-year old boy and a 3-year old boy hurling through the glass and into the ocean. The father of the 3-year old jumped into the sea, managing to save the 3-year old’s life, but could not save the 4-year old. I couldn't help but think about the terror of that father seeing his son drowning in the frigid seas unable to do anything about it. And that thought led me to another Father who saw his Son die, but in that instance, the Father chose not to save His Son.
Of course, the Father I am speaking of is the Father of the universe and His Son, Jesus. Like the father of that little boy who demonstrated his love for his son by his willingness to risk his own by jumping into the dangerous sea, the Father in heaven also dearly loved His Son in a way that no earthly father could ever match. But unlike the father of the little boy, God the Father did not jump in to rescue His Son. No, instead, he sent His Son to be crucified on a cross to save sinners for Himself. Could any father that you know send his son willingly to die for another person, let alone a person who has shown nothing but hatred and rebellion toward the father? Absolutely not! It is sheer folly, foolishness, one person aptly describes it madness. But that’s what it took to save me and you. And this message of the cross is one that is at the core of our faith as a Christian. Apart from this message, we are not Christians. Apart from this message, there is no salvation. Apart from this message faith is nothing more than an empty shell.
As one who goes on to live this life every day, I fail to forget how universally significant this is for me personally. And this is why I am forever grateful that salvation belongs to the Lord and not to me.
Of course, the Father I am speaking of is the Father of the universe and His Son, Jesus. Like the father of that little boy who demonstrated his love for his son by his willingness to risk his own by jumping into the dangerous sea, the Father in heaven also dearly loved His Son in a way that no earthly father could ever match. But unlike the father of the little boy, God the Father did not jump in to rescue His Son. No, instead, he sent His Son to be crucified on a cross to save sinners for Himself. Could any father that you know send his son willingly to die for another person, let alone a person who has shown nothing but hatred and rebellion toward the father? Absolutely not! It is sheer folly, foolishness, one person aptly describes it madness. But that’s what it took to save me and you. And this message of the cross is one that is at the core of our faith as a Christian. Apart from this message, we are not Christians. Apart from this message, there is no salvation. Apart from this message faith is nothing more than an empty shell.
As one who goes on to live this life every day, I fail to forget how universally significant this is for me personally. And this is why I am forever grateful that salvation belongs to the Lord and not to me.