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Show Why the crucifixion ? By REV. ERIC V. KAELBERER Pastor Cross of Christ Lutheran Church Not long ago I was asked, "Why did Jesus have to die? Why didn't God just snap His fingers and forgive for-give us?" Those are valid questions ques-tions that, surprisingly enough, involve in-volve a simple answer. In order for God to be able to save us He would have to be perfect. per-fect. He would have to show both perfect mercy (unmerited love and forgiveness) and perfect justice (exacting payment for wrong done). If God had simply snapped His fingers and said, "you're forgiven" for-given" He would be true to His nature in showing mercy but would have denied His nature by denying justice. Thus, He would not be God. Several years ago a book hit the newsstands titled "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner. The good Rabbi makes a strong case for the love and mercy of God, but comes to the sad conclusion that God lacks the power to stop evil. His love is strong, but His power over evil is limited. That, he concludes, con-cludes, is why bad things happen to good people. That is a logical conclusion to draw if you emphasize love but deny justice. It is logical if you look at the Bible but read it without Jesus Christ as its center, its focus. When Jesus hung on that cross He did what we sinful folks were unable to do: He showered us with forgiveness and He gave the perfect per-fect sacrifice for our sins. He met the conditions to satisfy both the mercy and the justice of God. It was the perfect solution. Many Christians are celebrating the season called "Lent." It is a time when we prepare our hearts for this gift of God's mercy and justice by focusing on our need for Jesus and His cross, and the assurance assur-ance that for Jesus' sake alone, without any effort on our own, our sins are forgiven. Lent prepares us for the joy of Easter, the resurrection resurrec-tion of Jesus and the fulfillment of the promise that we who believe that He died for us and our sins, will have eternal life (read John 3:16)! Thank God that He is both merciful mer-ciful and just and that He shows both of these qualities to us. May this Complete God bless you as you seek His grace. Amen. |