In every national or global circumstance a different word seems to trend. In our current circumstance that word is “Unprecedented” – (def. as – without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled). We have heard this adjective from practically every political leader as well as most agency representatives who have addressed this situation. Truly we are experiencing something, “unprecedented”. Such events are destined to change the norm. As I write this, the world is anxiously waiting for a return to normal, but what was normal before won’t be what normal looks like in the future. This shift in the known norm will carry with it some things that are hard to face and some things that will change for the good. On the bleak side there will be some financial hardships, some sad and personal losses, new fears, and new challenges. On the up side there will be changes in how we face the future, how we live, what we think is truly important and hopefully many will have learned from the experience we are now going through.

Ironically, this past Sunday celebrated another unprecedented event that changed the world forever, Palm Sunday. The nation of Israel had anxiously been awaiting the arrival of the Messiah who would, in their minds, restore Israel to their former glory; their previous “norm”. In Luke chapter 19 we can see the stark contrast between the hopes of the people, the corruption of their leaders and the purpose of God. In verses 41 and 42 Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, reveals the blindness of the people and declares that there was more going on than they would comprehend; “If you had known…the things which make for peace”. In todays’ terms, you people aren’t getting it! The crowd is excited. The crowd is proclaiming Jesus as King. It’s a festive environment of celebration yet Jesus is weeping because they do not understand what is happening or about to happen. In the midst of this unprecedented event, they are blind to its meaning.

How about back to back unprecedented events? Without question, what takes place a short week later is the most “unprecedented” event in all of history. Within a few days the same people who were cheering Jesus on have now turned against Him and are calling for His death by crucification. When He didn’t restore their norm they despised Him and they crucified Him. On the third day a new “norm” was born. The world would never be the same. A new covenant was established between God and mankind. Redemption was now offered to every human being as a free gift from God Himself. Unprecedented! Yet for many the blindness continues and those that are blind will continue to look in the past for their norm and will continue to despise anything or anyone who they believe is standing in the way of their goal.

As we look to the future, whatever that may look like, we should endeavor to discover the truth that surrounds us, “the things that make for peace”. Oh, if we only knew, ——— Happy Unprecedented Easter!

2Chron.7:14 – “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Who is this man Jesus and what are you going to do about Him? Truly, this is the most important question in the entire world. Everyone answers it one way or the other, some incorrectly with the freedom to do so. After all, God gives everyone free will. According to the scriptures everyone will answer correctly at some point in time, some with great joy, others with great sorrow. The Bible describes Him as the Son of God and the Son of Man. What are we to think about Him? Who would you say He is? You may ignore the question if you like, then ignorance becomes your answer. You may associate yourself with Him without commitment, then complacency becomes your answer. You may follow Him half-heartedly but partial obedience is still disobedience. No one can escape the giving of an answer.
The two descriptions given to us tell us plenty about who He is, how He operated and how all of this relates to each of us. Jesus was made up of two distinct natures; one was that of God and the other was that of man. In Matthew chapter 4 Jesus is tempted three times by Satan. The first temptation was an appeal to physical hunger, the second was an appeal to physical pride and the third toward physical lust and power. All three attacks were targeted against the Son of Man, against His humanness. All three times Jesus countered these temptations by drawing from the spiritual side of His nature. All three responses were made by quoting scripture. Not once did He use His humanness to respond. This is how He operated.
In Matthew 26 Jesus is agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane. In verse 38 He states that His soul is deeply grieved, “to the point of death”. Once again the trouble is in His human side. (Our soul represents who we are as a person). The temptation of Satan and the trials faced are always attacks upon the human condition. The answers for facing these attacks were always spiritual answers demonstrated by Jesus, never human responses.
How does this relate to each of us? God considers all living beings to be part of His family at the time of birth. Up until the time of the age of accountability (when a person is old enough to understand the Gospel) he or she is protected and should they leave this life they will do so with God’s grace of eternal life in His kingdom. After this milestone age a person must be born of the Spirit prior to their demise to continue on to eternal life in heaven. When someone is born again from above they now have two natures, similar to and being part of the nature of Christ. We are made up of a spiritual nature in addition to our human side. All attacks against our humanness can only be successfully countered by spiritual answers. Satan never attacks the spiritual nature, only the human nature. He cannot stand against the Spirit therefore he always targets humanness. He chooses the battlefield, it is up to us to follow the example of Jesus and change the the ground on which we shall stand. Who is this man Jesus? He is the one man who successfully walked this earth, never giving into human nature but always leaning on the supernatural power of God. He now offers that same power to each who belong to Him; to travel through this life by His example, by His invitation and for His purpose. The dark cannot comprehend the light. He is the light. Who do you say He is and what are you going to do about Him? “No answer”—— not an option!