Monday, March 2, 2020

More Questions Than Answers


Monday, March 2, 2020

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.  Hebrews 2:14-15[1]


Many questions beg answers; in the letter to the Hebrew Christians sometimes the questions seem to beg, and beg, and beg….  This is not one of those times.  For me, at least, this text is one of the clearest, most satisfying pegs that holds my faith secure, even in the fiercest of life’s storms.  Paul answers the questions for which my frightened little soul craves light:  Does God care about me?  It shines light on:  Why the cross?  And it assures that:  It’s REALLY possible to be forgiven!

Peter seemed to have been in awe of Paul’s deep and complex insights, and, at times, more than a little confused about Paul’s letters! 

Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture.  And this will result in their destruction.   2 Peter 3:15-16


With Paul and Peter, you and I can also understand the cross and the nature of suffering for our sins, as well as the gift of the One who is eternal, who became one of us to pay the ultimate cost. 

If actions speak louder and more eloquently than words, then the cross is our assurance that God indeed loves us, and forgiveness is not only possible, it is palpable.  Forgiveness isn’t a far-off question to beg an answer until it drives you mad; forgiveness is a blood-stained reality, offered from the best friend you could imagine (even if you cannot fully understand why He offers himself in your place)!

Paul’s throwaway line in this is that we humans live in slavery to the fear of death.  And it’s true.  Those who, as Peter said, are ignorant and unstable may offer a false kind of bravado, asserting that they’re unafraid, and even go so far as to deny God’s existence.  But it’s just whistling in the dark against their fear.  The plain and inexorable reality is that everyone who has ever drawn breath trembles against the day they will stop drawing breath.  In short, we dread knowing, but can’t stop wondering what (or WHO) is beyond this life.  We dread the final answer which we will ALL one-day encounter.

For those who choose to believe and embrace the forgiving act of Jesus Christ on that cross as He broke the power of fear and death, the result of such trust brings peace that is unmistakable and makes little sense to the skeptic.  But it is the answer that makes all other questions moot.

For You Today


You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day! 

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Title Image:  Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©



[1] For other posts on Hebrews 2:14-15 see He Was Crushed...for US   and When the Candle Dies 

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