"The Bible" Bombshell

I'm used to turning on the news and hearing about bullets or ballots or budgets.

But the Bible? Pinch yourself, Ron - the Bible is one of the lead stories on newscast after newscast today. Well, actually "The Bible." The ten-hour History Channel mini-series that has stunned everybody with its blockbuster ratings, especially among young viewers.

There were epic moments from Noah's Ark to the parting of the Red Sea to David decking Goliath.

But the last night is what so many are talking about. Particularly the one scene that "lit up" the social networks like Twitter.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ. All over the cyber-universe, people said they were in tears watching Jesus die. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is in so many conversations today.

For those of us who belong to this Jesus, there's a message in all of this that could change eternities. That message could be summed up in four words.

"It's all about Jesus."

The heartfelt response to this portrayal of Jesus on the cross is a wakeup call - for those who don't know Him and those who do. For those who don't - the choice that determines your destiny is what you do with what He did there for you. For those who do know Him, that cross - and that miraculous Resurrection - is our Message. Unencumbered.

The famous preacher, Charles Spurgeon called the cross of Jesus "that magnificent magnet." It really is. Over and over, I've seen that when you can get someone to that cross, their hearts are stolen away.

So why do we Christians spend so much time on detours that distract from the destination? Like expounding on what we're against, promoting our church or arguing religion.

What "The Bible" did in its final episode was strip away 2,000 years of Christianity and bring us back to the heartbeat of God. His Son dying for us. That's why Paul said: "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Before there were churches...before there were "Christians"...before there were creeds - there was a cross.

That's the Good News we have for our friend, our neighbor, our family member, our coworker, our classmate. Not a church to go to. Not a religion to join. Not a belief to sign up for. Not an indictment of how they're living.

But a Savior. Hanging on that cross, paying the awful price for all the junk of our life. It's not just how Jesus died that's so heart-rending. It's the reason He died. "He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!...The Lord laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6 - NLB).

It's not about Christians. It's not about Christianity. It's about the living Christ who loved you enough to die for you. A love that would pay any price not to lose you. That's the Good News we're commanded to share. No more. No less.

Jesus' repeated invitation was simply, "Follow Me." Not follow My followers...or follow My religion...or follow My rules. Just "follow Me."

Jesus made it all about Jesus. We should, too.

Bring them up Skull Hill with you...stand at the foot of that old rugged cross. And whisper two words - "For you. This was for you."