I don't get it. If God really is in complete control and has all power, why doesn't He just create a society under His rule where everyone is forced to live by His standards. You know, "Comply or die." Wouldn't the world be a better place? If everyone lived the "Golden Rule," if everyone loved their neighbor as themselves, wouldn't that eliminate all the world's problems and disputes and conflicts?
Doesn't Peter have a point in these verses? Jesus, dude, you're the Messiah, the Deliverer. Lead the revolt. Take your lawful place as king. You don't even need an army to defeat the Romans or anybody else who might oppose you. You could wipe 'em all out. You don't even have to take it from those self-righteous Pharisees or Sadducees.
The only problem with that is that it's a huge problem for everybody but Jesus. It doesn't solve the sin problem, it only exacerbates it. How's that, you say. Think about it. If Jesus established an earthly kingdom and we were all forced to follow even just 2 simple commands, "Do unto to others as you would have them do to you," and "love your neighbor as yourself," what would happen the first time we got upset with our spouse or brother or neighbor and said something cruel or in anger or just hastily? Punishment! Comply or die. It wouldn't be long before there wasn't be any kingdom over which to be king.
Jesus' sacrificial death is the only way. If God forced us to comply with His perfect standard, we'd be nothing more than robots. But God created us in His image, a little lower than angels, complete with emotions and passions and vibrancy and choice. In Jesus' death, the penalty for our sin is atoned. Thus, in His resurrection, we have life.
Let's ask ourselves the key question, "Who do you say Jesus is?" Just a teacher? Just another prophet? Just a good person? Just a guy we visit or pay tribute to once a week? A guy after whom we try to model our life? Or do we see Him truly as the Messiah? Truly as our Lord and Savior? If He's truly your Lord and Savior, has your life changed to reflect your belief? Are you relishing His forgiveness and living under the power of His Holy Spirit?
God, I want to reflect you in my life. I want my life to proclaim you as my king, my lord, my savior and friend. Thanks for your sacrificial death. Thanks for solving both my sin and guilt problems. I'm living today for you.
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