Game Changer: How Jesus Changed the Game

Game Changer 3

How Jesus Changed The Game

by Jeremiah Sanchez

Jose Rizal. Marilyn Monroe. Rico Yan. Michael Jackson. Cory Monteith.

Did those names ring a bell?

If we were to analyze them side by side and find a common factor, what would that be?

Harsh and unfortunate as it is, all of them have already passed away. The causes of death vary: drug overdose, martyrdom, etc. They no longer exist.

There was that time in our lives when we too were in the same state as them.

Not in the physical sense of course, but more of in the spiritual sense. 

How?

Before we divulge deeper, let's first take a look at Colossians 1:19-22

For God in all His fulness

was pleased to live in Christ,

and through Him God reconciled

everything to Himself

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth

by means of Christ's blood on the cross

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

The letter of Colossians was written by Paul to the people of a place named Colosse. The apostle received news that the people were being taught a gospel contrary to that of Christ's. It denied the fact that Christ was enough for salvation, that His sacrifice was worth it. Of course, Paul stepped up and with the help of the Spirit, he was able to bash out the false teaching with the letter.

Now, let's go back to the verse.

Notice the word RECONCILE.

Does the term sound familiar?

According to Dictionary.com, reconcile means to win over to friendliness. Basically, it's all about patching up, burying the hatchet, forgiveness, etc. Why do we need reconciliation in the first place?

Ever since Adam and Eve took a bite from the Fruit God had forbidden them to eat, SIN has been passed on from generation to generation. We are born sinners. God, being perfect in nature, simply cannot stand sin. We are separated from Him because of our nature. We just love what He hates. Because of that, we are in conflict with Him. 

So, how do we make peace?

22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:22

Simply put, someone must die before forgiveness can be achieved. 

Ouch.

Familiar with the tale of Romeo and Juliet?

They were known as the star-crossed lovers. He loved her. She loved him. The only problem was their families hated each other. Despite that, Romeo and Juliet loved each other to bits. It came to a point where the former found himself staring at his beloved's dead body. Unable to live a life without her, Romeo took the poison. Before life faded out from his eyes, he saw Juliet flutter her eyes and wake up. 

Romeo died. And we all know what happened to Juliet.

The good thing that came out from their death was the reconciliation of their families. 

Apparently, it worked the same way in our conflict with God.

How?

Jesus' death on the cross bridged the gap between us and the Lord.

That's how He changed the game.

Jesus did not die a simple death. There's more to the image of Him nailed on the cross. 

Before he was hung on the cross, Jesus was tortured physically and mentally. First off, he was scourged. Now, scourging is unlike the whipping we see on movies. Scars and long lines on your back aren't the only things a scouring victim receives. The whip used for scourging has tiny bones and metal attached to it. So when it's attached to your back, it can really rip your skin off. Occasionally, bits of human meat are attached too.

The crown of thorns wasn't simply placed on His head. It was FORCED. They weren't the usual rose thorns either, they were bigger and they cracked His skull.

On His way to Calvary,  Jesus carried a heavy load on His shoulder. People mocked and tormented Him as He walked His way towards His death. It was evident during that time how people belittled His true nature, how most of them took His gift for granted.

But He still persevered.

He reached the end and was immediately brought upon the cross. 7-inch nails pierced his wrist and on both of His feet. Breathing became a hard chore for Him to survive. The wood where His body was nailed to wasn't even smooth.

He spent hours on that cross, ridiculed and suffering. After 3-6 hours, His body succumbed to the torture and He gave His last breath.

He died so that we may have life.

12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Hebrews 10:12

Jesus had the power to turn away...to let things run its course and to allow us to be damned in Hell. But He chose to obey His Father and let love reign. He changed the game for us.

16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Out of His love for His people, Jesus chose to face death, to save His people from their sins. It's up to us to choose between following Him or rejecting Him and His gift. 

 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Colossians 1:22

The ball game almost led to Satan's victory when Eve ate the fruit. We were supposed to go straight to Hell without any notice.

But Jesus stole the ball back

And changed the game forever.

Written by: Ashley Bernadette Petallano (c) 2013