When they were younger, my sons loved playing with Legos; these days, they enjoy watching the Avenger movies. So when I saw that Lego sells Avenger's Infinity War Toys, I bought a few sets as gifts.
One of the sets includes a minifigure of Thanos, a complicated and intriguing antihero. In his twisted mind, Thanos believes that by destroying half of all life, he'll return balance to the universe and save it.
I love characters with depth, and Thanos is an environmentalist on steroids. He fascinates me.
And just like the world in the movie, our world isn't right. We're always looking for a solution or a hero to make things better, to win the day, to undo what sin has done.
But, at the end of the day, all the stories, all the heroes, all the "saving the universe" - they all point to the greatest story ever told, the greatest hero who ever lived, the only hero who matters - Jesus.
Sometimes, the comparisons and contrasts to Jesus are so obvious that I think the author must have been inspired by the Bible's savior.
For instance, Thanos sees himself as the savior of humanity, but he's actually an anti-savior who "shows mercy" by killing lots of people.
But Jesus...
Jesus came into this suffering world as a baby in a manger. He lived among us, working as a carpenter, teaching people, feeding them, healing them.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
And Jesus's solution to our suffering, to sin, to death, to Satan...Jesus offered Himself up; He died for us and rose again to give us new life.
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4–5
Of course, all the "stories" we love to read and watch - they're just stories. But Jesus is our God, and He's history; He's real. He really lived, really died, rose again and ascended.
In many ways, but especially by the testimony of witnesses and by the Spirit Who lives within us, we Christians know this to be so.
And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. Acts 5:32
That's our hope. It's a hope that's sure and true.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16–17
This is the scenario - a customer at a fast-food drive-thru pays for his own order and also pays for the order of the customer behind him. Then a chain reaction occurs, and each person in line pays for the next customer's order.
Or, someone receives an unexpected monetary gift and responds, "I'll pay it forward," meaning he'll show a similar kindness to another person.
This whole concept bothers me.
The "chain reaction" pay-it-forwards - well, they're pointless. Only the person who initiates the event actually gives and pays for someone else's order.
Those in line who follow the trend - Everyone who participates just "breaks-even" by buying another person's order and also receiving his own order for free.
Whatever happened to just saying, "Thank-you; that's really generous of you?"
We're a society that can't accept gifts; we don't want to be in anyone's debt. So we respond with, "I'll pay it forward." Or we give the person a gift in return for his generosity.
In the end, an act of generosity becomes a burden for the one receiving the gift. That person now feels a responsibility to do something in return.
Is there a gospel lesson here? Of course...
You see, Jesus is the only One who can and truly did "Pay it Forward." On the cross, in His death and resurrection, He paid it forward for our sins...and backward for the sins of Adam and all those born after him.
It's a gift. We can't "pay it forward" to another person; we can't repay Him in any way. The only thing we can do is receive it!
That's the gospel message. Forgiveness, righteousness, salvation, life - they're all a gift, given freely to us by our Lord.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38-39
Jesus's gift isn't meant to be a burden, but freedom. It's done; it's finished.
But sometimes, we have trouble believing. We might even try to do something to earn favor with God, or prove something to Him, to ourselves, or to others. We can get caught up in our own performance.
Even then, He loves us. He doesn't leave us in our pride or our works. His love comes to us, convicts us of sins, and turns us to the cross again.
And, in our turning and knowing His love, He enables us to start loving others. While we can't reenact His sacrifice for them, we can give them our love, our forgiveness; we can be generous to them and allow them to be generous to us.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
So, instead of "paying it forward" just say, "Thank-you." And love one another, knowing that Jesus died and rose again for you and loves you.
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
I'm reading Has American Christianity Failed? by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller.
In this book, Pastor Wolfmueller points out that American Christianity burdens us with teachings on how to live and be good Christians, while it should be comforting us and teaching us to know God's gifts and God's goodness.
As an example - American
Christianity describes repentance as a person committing a sin and then resolving to stop sinning. But Pastor Wolfmueller clarifies, "Repentance is what happens to us when the Law and Gospel do their work on us." It's not an act we do.
God exalted [Jesus] at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31
Repentance is a gift from Jesus. In repentance, the law convicts us and we're sorry and afraid; then the gospel comforts us.
This book is abundant in substance and the topics it covers. Looking thru my notes, I think this passage is a good summary:
Faith brings freedom. The Christian life is a life of freedom: freedom from the dominion of the devil; freedom from slavery to sin; freedom from the bondage of self-love; freedom from the fear of death, from the fear of judgment, from the fear of God's wrath.
Because of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, we're free.
We're free to love and to do good works. We're free from focusing on our own need to matter and to succeed.
And any "Christianity" that doesn't include the "freedom that faith brings" as revealed by God's Word, that "Christianity" fails.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Martin Luther said:
On the cross, the very heart of God is shown. We know who He is because of what He does. We know that "God is love" because we know that Jesus has died.
Jesus has died and set us free.
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Read the book - it'll change how you view your Christian life. Everything is a gift. And the "gospel truth" will give you freedom in Christ to lose yourself in loving others.
I'll end with this quote:
The Scriptures comfort us poor miserable sinners with the joy that Christ has died and risen for our salvation.
Each week at church, once our service begins, the ushers count how many people are in attendance. Sometimes the ushers make guesses beforehand, to see who comes closest to the total.
Last week, one of the ushers asked, "Do we count babies?"
I responded, "Do you mean unborn babies?!!"
He laughed. But you see..."to win" the counting game, an usher has been known to count an unborn baby.
But he was talking about "born" babies, and he felt that babies shouldn't be included. He said babies were present but not participating in the service.
I began my answer with the fact that we baptize babies, and we believe that God gives them faith in baptism.
Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children. Acts 2:38–39
Then I said that babies do have faith and knowledge. Babies have awareness; they're not just present with us. They know and trust. They especially know and prefer their parents.
Finally, I said that babies could most certainly hear the worship service, and I reminded him that John the Baptist, while still in his mother's womb, leapt when he heard Mary's voice.
For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:44
At that point, he grinned and said, "So we should count the unborn babies!"
During this Advent season, we're reminded that Jesus came in human flesh, in the weakness of a baby, a baby that many people would overlook and not count.
But Jesus is the baby who counted and still counts. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He's the One whom the shepherds and wise men looked at with awe and reverence. He's the One who saved and continues to save His people from their sins.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil...Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:14, 17
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29–30
In July 1980, I entered the United States Naval Academy as a member of the class of 1984. And within a few weeks, the number "84" became highly significant to me and my classmates.
To us, "84" represents all the experiences and traditions that bind us together as Naval Academy Alumni.
To this day, we're amused and satisfied by that number. Every time "84" appears, whether it's in a picture, a road sign, a sporting score - we feel good inside.
But...I'm puzzled by this reaction. I think about my Christian faith.
Nothing in my faith moves me the way "84" affects me.
God's Word moves me when I read it and especially when I hear it. But it's not a guaranteed emotion or feeling the way "84" is.
A beautiful sanctuary, a crucifix - they can affect me, but not always.
Am I missing something? Should I start to use a Christian word or phrase and make it mine?
Maybe "He is risen" or "The tomb was empty."
The answer is no. I don't need something to evoke excitement about my faith.
My faith and hope aren't based on a gooey feeling inside of me. Sometimes, I feel that comfort. Sometimes, I'm emotional about my faith.
But most of the time, I'm just living and experiencing life's normal struggles.
My Christian faith is based on a historical fact, a fact outside of myself, outside of my feelings.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
While I wish that the gospel message always came with an inner comfort and satisfaction, my lack of emotion doesn't negate the truth - Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God, lived, died, and rose again, for my salvation.
The hope of the resurrection of our bodies is certain and sure.
...as
we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are
unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that
are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Although the good feelings about "84" are real and treasured, God's forgiveness and His promise of eternal life thru Jesus is of more substance and comfort than anything in this life.
