Perhaps, it points to a greater story?

A couple of weeks ago, I caught an extended interview with Dr. Fabiano Di Marco is the Head of Respiratory in Bergamo, Italy; the epicentre of Europe’s COVID-19 crisis. He started battling the coronavirus before we all knew what it really was.

I listened intently, as he explained how the virus started taking his city captive, debilitating hundreds of people each day. Many of them ended up locked into a ventilator, truly taken captive, desperately hanging on to life.

He said, “It was like a war zone!” He explained that there just wasn’t enough resources to triage everyone that was coming into the hospital.

Then the virus spread to staff.

Holding back tears, he explained the huge difference between treating dying patients, and now, treating dying colleagues. Some of his staff died because they were infected trying to save patients.

But here’s the fascinating fact of his account; health care workers continued to show up each day to work. Why did they keep showing up? What, inside of them, called them to put their lives at risk?

Were they doing it just for the pay-cheque? Was it just because it’s the career they committed to? Would there be awards, and accolades?

During times of crisis, people risk their lives to save others. But why would human beings do that? Evolutionary theory doesn’t give us a good answer. Where does survival of the fittest fit into this phenomena? Aren’t our instincts supposed to kick in?

I believe the Bible has an answer.

Today, I want to show you, that the Bible provides an answer. Choosing to risk one’s life to save another, points to a bigger story. That God has knit something inside of human beings that points us to a greater existence; past our earthly lives toward something eternal.

All of this can be related to today, Good Friday.

Today is Good Friday.

A day set aside to remember when One Man risked His life, sacrificed His life, to provide eternal life for many.

Christians all around the world will pause, to remember when Jesus laid down His life, died on a cross, and was buried. If you’ll stick with me, I’d like to explain why Jesus gave up His life, and how it can impact your life eternally.

My desire is to help you understand why this Friday, even in the midst of crisis and uncertainty, is still so “good”. I’d like to explain how Jesus laid down his life as a ransom for ours, and can lead us to a restored hope that lasts forever.

To help us navigate the topic, let’s look at some writing from Apostle Peter.

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:17-21

A Ransomed Life

Ransomed:
“the freeing of a captive in return for payment of a ransom.”
“obtain the release of (a captive) by paying a ransom.”

Oxford Dictionary

Humanity has been taken captive by sin. Although we were created to be in relationship with God, we have walked away from Him, creating our own plans centred around ourselves. This is called sin. It prevents a relationship with a Holy God.

Sometimes, we create ideas on how we can access God. It might be related to doing enough good works, or saying enough prayers. Sometimes, we think that we can pay to access God. And yet, as Peter notes, gold and silver are still not high enough of a ransom.

All of these efforts are what Peter calls futile, defined as useless efforts. We will never be perfect enough, and can never work hard enough. Our lives will never be enough to reach a Holy God.

Are imperfect sinful existence, must be paid for.

Thankfully, Jesus laid down His perfect life to be our ransom; our payment. Jesus was the ransom, so that we can have access to a Holy God. His life the ransom, in Biblical language is as a pure, spotless, lamb.

A Restored Hope

This is a plan that God put in place long ago. And don’t think this plan surprised Jesus. Remember that He and the Father are One. Jesus knew the plan. It’s why He came to earth.

Consider the following evidence:

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”

Luke 18:31-33

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

John 10:17-18

Through Jesus, Hope Is Restored

Through Jesus, our relationship with God can be restored. Hope is found, knowing that eternal life is available through Jesus.

If you have never submitted your life to Jesus, you can today. Choose to accept His ransomed life, and experience a restored hope that lasts forever.

Allow yourselves to be brought into the greater story that the human heart is always pointing to, and yearning for.