Family of God: Re: [FamilyofGod] Close to the Cross, But Far From Christ

Wow amen great post again Micheal

On Sat Jan 15th, 2011 11:03 PM EST Michael J. Knight wrote:

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>Close to the Cross, But Far From Christ
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>There was some dice-throwing that went on at the foot of the cross.
>Imagine this scene. The soldiers are huddled in a circle, their eyes
>turned downward... They gamble for some used clothes. The tunic, the
>cloak, the sandals are up for grabs. Each soldier lays his luck on the
>hard earth, hoping to expand his wardrobe at the expertise of a
>cross-killed carpenter.
>
>I wondered what that scene must have looked to Jesus. As he looked
>downward past his bloody feet at the circle of gamblers, what did he
>think? What emotions did he feel? He must have been amazed. Here are
>common soldiers witnessing the world's most uncommon event and they
>don't even know it. As far as they are concerned, it's just another
>Friday morning and he is just another criminal. "Come on, hurry up; it's
>my turn!"
>
>"All right, all right -- this throw is for the sandals." Casting lots
>for the possessions of Christ. Heads ducked. Eyes downward. Cross
>forgotten.
>
>The symbolism is striking. Do you see it? It makes me think of us. The
>religious. Those who claim heritage at the cross. I'm thinking of all of
>us. I'm thinking that we aren't so unlike those soldiers (I'm sorry to
>say.)
>
>We, too, play games at the foot of the cross. We compete for members. We
>scramble for status. We deal out judgments and condemnations.
>Competitions. Selfishness. Personal gain. It's all there. We don't like
>what the other did so we take the sandal we won and walk away in a huff.
>
>So close to the timbers, so far from the blood.
>
>We are close to the world's most uncommon event, but we act like common
>crapshooters huddled in bickering groups and fighting over silly
>opinions... How many leaders have saddled their pet peeves, drawn their
>sword of bitterness and launched into battle against brethren over
>issues that are not worth discussing?
>
>So close to the cross but so far from Christ.
>
>We major in finding gossip and become experts in unveiling weaknesses.
>We split into little huddles and then again, God forbid, we split again.
>"Those selfish soldiers," we smirk with our thumbs in lapels. "They were
>so close to the cross and yet so far from Christ." And yet, are we so
>different?
>
>Are our differences that divisive? Are our opinions that obtrusive? Are
>our walls that wide? Is it that impossible to find a common cause?
>
>"May they all be one," Jesus said.
>
>Too idealistic? Impossible to achieve? I don't think so. Harder things
>have been done, you know. For example, once upon a tree, a carpenter
>gave his life for his creation. Maybe what we need is just a few hours
>to follow suit.
>
>What about you? Can you build a bridge? Toss a rope? Span a chasm? Pray
>for oneness? Can you be the soldier who snaps to his senses, jumps to
>his feet, and reminds the rest of us, "Hey, that's God on the cross!"
>
>The similarity between the soldier's game and our game is scary. What
>did Jesus think? What does he think today? There is still dice-throwing
>going on. And it is at the foot of the cross.
>
>Remember
>Only one life, will soon be past,
>Only what is done, for Christ will last.
>
>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
>communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians
>13:14)
>
>Love & Prayers,
>
>Michael J. Knight.
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-C-T-S/
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-C-T-S/>
>
>What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.
>
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