“The only cross in all of history that was turned into an altar was the cross on which Jesus Christ died…”
― A.W. Tozer-
If humans had their way the simple plan of salvation would be a constant bloody conflict in which the one with the most fighters and arms would declare themselves the victor. This has been the norm throughout the history of the church with the Crusades, the bloody reigns of the kings and queens of England during the protestant reformation and can even be seen being played out in the Middle East today. Some of the early followers of Jesus were looking for a mighty military leader to come and destroy the Roman government and re-establish the Jewish nation in glory and honor. But when they realized that Jesus was coming in “peace” they quickly gravitated to other leaders with the mindset that Christ was not one of violence or strife. The centuries since have all posted Jesus as a pacifist but if His words are true then how do we take the following “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Mt 10:35 KJV). When He came to set at odds those persons for whom the greatest of relationships are in place no one is exempt from the conflict which arises from His life and message. If the image of Jesus Christ as a peace loving, card carrying member of the pacifist society is true then how could He come to such a violent and horrific end, author, A. W. Tozer declares the following of the victory of Jesus:
“Salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands
Not by muscle, but by love
Not by vengeance, but by forgiveness
Not by force, but by sacrifice
Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win
He destroyed His enemies by dying for them
He conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.”
By doing so Jesus demonstrated that the greatest battle of all was not the physical one of brute- force and brawn but rather the Spiritual struggle to exemplify the characteristics of victory that God has given to every believer.
Time’s up.
Hey 01038
