Thursday 28 October 2010

When did you last step in to help?

Every so often at school a huge shout would erupt as a fight broke out. Hoards would encircle; even if the two lads didn't want to carry on, they'd no longer have a choice because of the hungry audience that had gathered. Never once did I step in. I used to love it as much as anyone. It was thrilling; assuming you weren't the underdog.

Read this excerpt from the gospel of Matthew and see how it makes you feel.

'Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.'

Well? Heartbreaking or no impact? Maybe it stops you in your tracks or maybe you skipped to this paragraph without even bothering to finish that last one. If these words don't kick you in the crotch then what about this:

When did you last stab a mate in the back? Watch porn? Belittle someone intentionally? Get wasted? Cheat? Or maybe squander your money on worthless things. The list could go on and on.

It's very easy to take the words of that passage very lightly. But all too often the 'Roman Guard' attitude catches us off-guard and we join in with those mockers and scoffers en route to Calvary. It's easy to join the crowd of spectators without even really realising it.

Re-read it and rethink your life's position on this. It's kind of a big deal.