The More Things Change…

…The more they stay the same. Today marks Good Friday, the day that history indicates Jesus Christ was put to death. Much has changed in 2000 years. We have all the modern comforts such as nice homes, automobiles, computers and all kinds of electronic gadgets to make our lives easier (or more hectic depending upon how one looks at it). The people of that time had none of these things and lived rather hard lives though they lived a lot longer than we do today. I find it interesting that in all the years since the crucifixion much has changed but many things have stayed the same.

Back then we had war, strife, and poverty. Today we have those very things. Jesus told us that there would always be poor but who could have figured that in 2000 years the human race would not be able to solve differences without war? As much as I hate the idea of war I know it is necessary some times because there are some things worth fighting for. One of the things that is interesting and has stayed the same is mankind’s fickleness that leads people to accept evil over good.

On Palm Sunday Jesus rode in to town on a donkey and was praised by the crowd. “Hosanna to the highest” they chanted as he came in. Only five days later they would shout “crucify him.” Jesus was a peaceful man (but could show anger) who healed those who were believers. He was good and he was innocent. When Pontius Pilate gave the crowd a choice as to whom should receive the Passover amnesty they selected a convicted murderer named Barabbas. The crowd, believed by many to be supporters of Barabbas who wanted to insure his release, decided to ignore the innocent victim and release the guilty.

Today we often see that with convicted murderers. Crowds of people will protest the death sentence of the most horrific people in the world while ignoring the victims of the crime. These are the same people who think nothing of aborting, or supporting the choice to abort, a perfectly innocent baby. They will condemn the innocent to death while fighting to save those convicted of the most egregious crimes.

The question has been raised What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)? I imagine he would say “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” This is all well and good but I also imagine he would teach us that killing the unborn is a sin and that the practice needs to stop. Will the people who support this barbaric act concede this point? It is unlikely they will given that they can not tell the difference between the guilty and the innocent and that their efforts are usually aimed at saving the former while disregarding the latter as an inconvenient waste of time.

This is Good Friday and Christians everywhere are celebrating the death of Christ and will celebrate the glory of his resurrection on Easter Sunday. While we celebrate that new life, the new beginning promised us through this selfless act, let us look forward to the day when we again celebrate a culture of life instead of the culture of death so pervasive in our society.

UPDATE: For the folks at War on Easter; “Give some thought today, Good Friday, to what Jesus did for you when he bore your stripes and died on the cross. Praise the Lord!”

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[tags]Good Friday, Easter, Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, innocence, guilty, abortion, death sentence, crucifixion[/tags]

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9 Responses to “The More Things Change…”

  1. Wayfarer says:

    I’ll say Amen! to that.

  2. Big Dog says:

    Glad to see you are still able to comment!

  3. Good Friday…

    Remember – His love for you is so vast, so deep, and so strong, that He did this for you… And He didn’t have to – He wanted to. Oh the wonders of the love of God in Christ Jesus!…

  4. Lady Jane says:

    Thanks for the link!

    Beautiful post!

  5. On Good Friday…

    Today we mark the day Jesus died for all our sins. It is a somber day, a time for prayer, fasting, and reflection….

  6. Big Dog says:

    Thank you Lady Jane

  7. Big Dog says:

    Thanks to all for the comments

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