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I have to confess: I am an inveterate eavesdropper.
I listen in on conversations; I look over shoulders
to see what someone is reading; I am afflicted with
an insatiable curiosity about what other people are
thinking, viewing, and reading. (And, for all you
pop psychologists out there, please don’t make too
much out of this little quirk of mine. After all,
sometimes, we hear the Gospel best when we OVERHEAR
it!) Eavesdropping can kick up some interesting, if
idle, thoughts, and here is one for your
consideration.
Anyway, on my recent late night flight back from
Atlanta, returning home from my week with my Mother,
I noticed a woman in the aisle seat across from me,
engrossed in a book, seemingly oblivious to
everything going on around us. (In the row behind
her, and just across from me, there was a young
child who screamed all the way just after take-off
until shortly before landing. The woman seemed not
to notice this, at all.)
As I glanced over at the woman, and as she turned a
page, I noticed the title of the new chapter, in big
bold letters: “What Are You Willing to Die For?” (As
it happens, I know the title of the book, and I’m
keeping it to myself, for now.) My initial reaction
in this little moment of eavesdropping was something
like: “Wait a minute!"
This is the Easter season, and at the heart of this
season is the fact of a single death, once for all,
for all, verified by the power of God in the
resurrection. IT IS NOT NECESSARY NOW FOR ANYONE TO
DIE FOR…..”
That was my initial reaction, based on my
understanding of a number of significant New
Testament passages, in which the death on the cross
was truly one time, for all of the rest of us, who
don’t have to die for the salvation of all the
others.
Now, I know what we mean when we speak of being
“willing to die for…” I also believe, strongly, that
it is more important for us to act on the basis of
what we are willing to live for. I would much rather
see us set out in our faith with a powerfully
positive outlook on LIVING for something good.
Think about it.
God bless...
Reverend
Ken Frazier |
