Bulletin
Impossible for God
IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD
There is one implication that is so serious, it must be repeated. There is something not possible for God. In this passage from the Bible, Mark introduces it, and Jesus prays it. “And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36).
It is impossible. There is no other possible way. It is impossible for anyone to be forgiven by God, unless Jesus goes through this hour of suffering, the cup of God’s wrath, the cross.
ANY OTHER WAY?
If, if, if there was a second alternative, then God would not have had Jesus go through such suffering. Would not God look like a monster if the cross was optional? What father would have his son be whipped nearly to death, if he could stop it? For Jesus after being whipped, started carrying the cross (John 19:17), but was unable to finish carrying it (Mark.15:20-21). Then hang on the cross from 9am (Mark 15:25) to 3pm (Mark 15:34). Then Jesus breathed his last (v.37). NO, I refuse to believe that there was another possible way. If Jesus doesn’t go through this painful death, then salvation of mankind is not possible. (There are good reasons for this, but I’ll leave that for another time). It is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2), and it is impossible for God to forgive us any other way than the cross (Mark 14:35-36).
DO YOU BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY?
Most people disagree with Jesus and God about the crucifixion. They can go on their merry way. They and God are on “good terms” they say. They can simply pray in the forest somewhere, and that’s good enough. But Jesus prays in the garden, then it cost him his life! And tells others to die with him, repeatedly (Luke 14:27, John 12:24-26). So either one or two things; either Jesus and his father got it wrong, or those not dying with Jesus have it wrong. What is happening on the cross we are not understanding? The cross was absolutely necessary, and it was the reason he was born (Matthew 1:21, John 12:23-27).
CONCLUCION
If Jesus was correct about the necessity of going to the cross, then he sees things differently than I do, normally. I need to be trained by Jesus. He trained people to die with him, be buried in water (baptism), and rise up to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-7, John 4:1-2). Jesus is the method. He is not just an intellectual spiritual thinker and teacher. He is the method, he is the way (John 14:6), for he is God (14:9). To him be the glory. Dan Peters
- Impossible_for_God_word.docx (9.07 kB)
