Fox Tracks
Christ Alone My Life
We live in a world that seems to get crazier every day. Violent
crimes and radical behavior seem to have become so commonplace. Our
world is in a sad state of affairs. However, in Christ alone, we
have reasons to rejoice.
"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me" (John 14:6). These were words of farewell
from our Savior on Maundy Thursday evening. Jesus had just told His
disciples that he would be betrayed by one of them. He also warned
Peter that he would deny Jesus. Then Jesus revealed that He would
only be with them a little while longer. In fact he would be dead
by that time the next day, Good Friday. All of this came as a shock
to Jesus' disciples. Although Jesus had told them before of His
upcoming death, although the Old Testament spoke of the Messiah's
suffering and death, the disciples just couldn't grasp this
concept. They were filled with sadness. They were afraid for their
future. Their hearts were very troubled. Without Jesus, what would
they do? How would they survive?
When we look at our world today, it is easy to become sad and
disheartened, scared and uneasy. What is really sad and
disheartening is we don't have to look very far to see the bad in
society and the troubles of life. We don't even have to look out
our windows. All we have to do is look into our own homes, our own
families, our own situations, and we see all that is wrong with
this world. Sin is a disease that afflicts every aspect of
everybody's life. A disease that kills us…spiritually and
eternally. What now???
Although Jesus faced betrayal, denial, abandonment, mockery,
torture, crucifixion, the torments of hell, He is filled with
concern for His disciples. In chapter 13, John said, "[Jesus]
Having loved His own who were in the world. He now showed them the
full extent of His love" (13:1b). Despite what His disciples were
about to face, Jesus offered His disciples true comfort. Jesus'
disciples were gripped with fear, their hearts were racing inside
them. "Keep trusting in God; keep trusting in me," Jesus said to
keep them focused on what faith is all about; trust and confidence
in God and His promises, not the scary things of this life which
swirl around us.
What a friend Jesus is! There is a Greek legend about Damon and
Pytheas. One took the other's place on death row, so the imprisoned
one could visit his family one last time. If the one scheduled to
die didn't return his foolish friend would die. Of course, he
returned to face his punishment, but the king was so overwhelmed at
this show of friendship, he freed them both.
Well, that is the kind of friend Jesus is. "I am the way and the
truth and the life," Jesus says. There was no mercy for Jesus, He
suffered and died with our sins. We are the ones who are shown
mercy and released from punishment. That is what my life is all
about. I have a reason to live…a reason not to be afraid - all
because of Christ alone!
Rev. Erich Schaser
Religion Dept.