“The Passion’s Purpose”

By Rev. David W. Lisner Senior Pastor

Newport Baptist Church

Going to the theater this week to view “The Passion of Christ” has become a vogue endeavor for many across the Northeast Kingdom. Mel Gibson’s film portrays the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ with gruesome accuracy. Yet, the movie leaves its viewers with a looming and imperative question: what was the purpose behind Jesus’ brutal and bloody execution? The Scriptures offer us, a poignant and clear answer:

Humanity has a problem which religion and morality can not fix, its called sin. Our lies and lusts, our anger and apathy, our selfishness and seduction offend and separate us from a holy God, cf. Isaiah 59:2. Paul says, “The wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23). Sin strikes with a fatal sting leaving all of us helpless and hopeless.

Despite our rebellion and state of spiritual impotency, God loves you and me and desires for all men to be saved; in comes Jesus Christ and the reason for His execution, cf. 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus had to bleed and die in our place to absorb and satisfy the wrath of God on our behalf, cf. Romans 3:25. The apostle Paul writes, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9, NIV). The nails were necessary because, “Without the shedding of blood,” the book of Hebrews explains, “there is no forgiveness,” (9:22). “Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt, we could not pay.” Jesus, the Son of the Living God, had your future in mind when the whips tore His back to shreds, He had your name in His heart when the crown of thorns seared His brow, He thought about you as the excruciating pain of the cross intensified with each passing moment. He died to give us life, He rose from the grave to confirm that His sacrifice was sufficient and acceptable; here lies the purpose of Christ’s passion.

And now a choice remains: will you receive in faith the gift He purchased for you? I pray you choose wisely because all eternity rests in this decision! Your relationship with the Lord Jesus can begin today through the following prayer as you receive His gift of eternal life:

Today's Prayer:

Lord, I realize that I have sinned and ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is God’s Son, that He died on the cross and rose from the grave so that my sins would be forgiven. I accept your gift of salvation in faith and ask that you help me follow you, Amen.

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