Before Jesus's intervention, humanity was separated from God and ensnared by sin and death, but Jesus's triumph over these forces altered history, granting people the opportunity for a closer relationship with God akin to a journey to understand a generous benefactor. While some prioritize experiencing the world without acknowledging the benefactor, others embark on the journey to express gratitude and seek a deeper relationship, emphasizing the gift of life and blessings bestowed upon all by God's reconciled embrace.
A Million Acres of Fun
Before and After Jesus
Before Jesus, everyone was in hell, or Sheol, a real place where figures like Abraham, Isaac, and Goliath roamed. There was no salvation and people were distant from God. Satan was actively accusing and causing chaos. But then Jesus came and overcame everything: deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace., Satan, and hell.
Some people argue on platforms like Facebook that hell doesn't exist, but it was indeed a place of separation and death. Jesus's work changed this narrative. This leads people to ask, "What now?" As we approach Christmas, I have a little story to share that fits the season.
The Billionaire's Gift
Imagine a multi-billionaire couple with a large family—ten children, seventy grandchildren, and hundreds of great-grandchildren. They own a two-million-acre plot of land dedicated to their family. They tell their descendants, "Do what you want here. Build houses, enjoy the streams, mountains, and deserts. Farm, open stores, build bars or strip clubs, create sports arenas—it's your life to live."
The billionaire lives at the far end of the land. It’s a difficult journey to reach him—400 miles, across roads and deserts, up 20 flights of stairs in a hot, dark attic where he reads books. When you knock on his door, he may or may not answer, and even if he does, it could be from behind the door.
The Journey of Understanding
Now, with Jesus’s intervention in the past, God has given us a planet to enjoy. For many people, the billionaire’s remote location reflects God’s perceived distance. Some don't care about making the journey, doubting if He even exists, while others know Him as their Father and emphasize the need for a relationship.
Occasionally, a member of the family takes the journey to express gratitude for the life and opportunities given to them. They want to learn about the being who created it all. Does the billionaire harbor resentment towards those who don’t visit him? No, he loves them—that’s why he provided them with life and freedom.
Understanding the Blessings for All
No, he doesn't punish them. He tries to bless them in every way he can. He puts the rain on the just and on the unjust alike. He is fully reconciled to everybody in that place, everybody.
The Journey to Know Him
Every now and then, there is someone who wants to know him, and they take the journey. They may take the journey often, pestering him by knocking on the door. They may call out from outside the house, asking him to show himself. Those who do this are his children. They're the ones who want him in their life. The rest of them don't care because they are too busy. They think, "Why last thing about that?"
Missing Out or Prioritizing?
Those who take the journey to meet him, see him, and want to talk to him might believe that they are missing out on a lot of the fun happening in the 2 million acres. However, they say, "That's not my priority. My priority is to know this being who gave all this." They want to understand who he is, his purpose, and the mystery behind this figure.
What Jesus Taught
The way Jesus taught, not many people really care. In the end, how it plays out is that life is life. It's a gift to all of us. Everything has been done and taken care of by Jesus, so we don't have to worry about these deleterious things. God loves us; he has been reconciled. He's pouring out blessings and will continue to do so. He will be there sometimes, whatever the situation.
Those Who Want Him
There are people who want him, and there are people who don't care. The people who want him, in the end, really do want him from the heart. Those are his children.
