Near the Cross

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

As we are approaching this Resurrection season, I am reminded once again of the many surprises that came to me as a new missionary to Russia following the fall of the "Iron Curtain." It was truly amazing to me when I first started to seriously study Russian in 1991 (age 50) that the name of the day we call Sunday is Voskrishenye – Resurrection. The modern Russian calendar reflects the nine hundred years of influence by the Orthodox Church. In Russian language the name is Pravaslavny Church. (Right and Glorious Church)

The large amount of Orthodox culture that you encounter in Russia and other Slavic countries is very surprising when you think about the 72 years they experienced under the dictatorial leadership of the Communist Party. What is even more remarkable is how ignorant most people are with regard to the meanings of the frequent holidays they celebrate with much wine and song. (Vodka and polka) In Russia and Ukraine where I have the most personal experience, it is common to hear people greet one another on Easter with a joyful "Christ is risen!" The person who receives this greeting responds with "He is risen indeed."

A majority of people in these countries still consider themselves atheist. Yet, they carry on these old family traditions without thinking about the implications. In one positive sense, it gives a visiting missionary evangelist a place to start conversations. Of course, there are many people in our country off from work on Saturday and/or Sunday, thanks to the faith of the believers who founded our country. We also have many other holidays on our calendar that reflect the belief system of the early settlers from Europe.

One of the techniques I employed in my early Russian studies was learning to read children's stories and songs. I was pleasantly surprised to find a beautifully illustrated copy of Pinocchio in Russian language. This story about a wood carver and the marionette he created is a powerful little story of love and sacrifice. The wood carver's name is Geppetto, and when he looks at the puppet, he thinks how nice it would be if he had a real son.

He looks up at the sky one evening and makes a wish to the wishing star that Pinocchio would turn into a real boy. That night a blue fairy brings Pinocchio to life. His puppet strings are removed, and the fairy tells the boy to follow good and shun evil. Disappointingly, the boy soon realizes that he is not completely alive – his body is still made of wood.

Then one day, Pinocchio learns that a giant whale has swallowed Geppetto along with all the family animals. He quickly jumps into the ocean and tries to save his father. Pinocchio is able to rescue Geppetto, Cleo a goldfish, and a cat name Figaro from the whale's belly. Sadly, all this effort causes him to drown and his body is carried to the shore. Geppetto is overcome with anguish, and sobs while kneeling over the boy.

The blue fairy comes to the rescue, "Awake, Pinocchio awake." Pinocchio is miraculously changed from a wooden boy into a normal boy with full life. He now has real flesh and bones as he so strongly desired. Geppetto looks down at the boy with tears streaming from his eyes. Pinocchio asks, "Father! What are you crying for?" Geppetto is not yet able to understand what has happened, and he answers, "Because you are dead, Pinocchio." Pinocchio gleefully realizes that he has been released from the previous life, and cries out, "No, I'm not dead. I'm alive. See? I'm real. I'm a real boy."

You may be living under the power of Satan, thinking that happiness is found in dark places and at the bottom of a bottle, or in some mind-altering substance, or in an immoral sexual relationship. The Bible correctly describes the human condition as being dead even while living such a life of sin. Paul reminds Christians about the former life of sin. "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1-5 NIV)

Just like the wooden puppet in the fairy tale, your life can be changed into a completely new person with an exciting new purpose for this life and the world to come. Jesus speaks about this as the New Birth. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice on the cross so that we could have this new birth and the positive hope of everlasting life in the place Jesus is preparing for the saved. Jesus once told a Jewish ruler, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3b NIV) You can experience that new birth today by confessing your faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son, repenting of your sins, being baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and living with Jesus as your Master.

If you have not been born again as Jesus requires, come to the cross, take advantage of this wonderful offer of eternal life today. If you have wandered away from your calling as a disciple of Christ, please come home today with sincere repentance and God will restore you and use you in the kingdom of Christ. You are invited to all services of the Cedar Key Church of Christ. Write me with any comments or questions at PO Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or binkley@bellsouth.net.