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| http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/margaret-thatcher-dead-newspaper-frontpages-1820371 |
The news of the death of the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
brought diverse responses. Some spoke of her with affection and respect as a
former political leader, political ally, friend, or colleague. For others the
announcement of her death was an occasion for celebration, and a pop song
describing her as a witch rising up the charts. To some she was a heroine. To
others she was hated. Many of those from wealthy backgrounds, in positions of
privilege or in business would see her as the person who helped to make Britain
great. Those who once worked in Britain’s primary industries such as coal,
steel, and manufacturing, may well see her as the person who destroyed British
industry. There can be little doubt, or discussion. Margaret Thatcher divides
opinion in death as much as she divided opinion during her life.
My mind went to someone who has divided opinion for far longer, and far
more substantially. He asked the question of the leaders of the day, “What
think ye of Christ?” The question is every bit as relevant today as it was
then. Society is divided in its opinion of Jesus Christ. All would have to
admit that He was a real person who lived, and who died. But is that all? The
question that Jesus asked of the Pharisees had more: “What think ye of Christ? whose
son is he?” Here is the crux of the issue!
Are you among those who think that Jesus Christ was merely the son of
Joseph and Mary? Perhaps you think He was a good man. Perhaps you would go
further and speak with a degree of respect for His words and works while He was
alive. For the true Christian Jesus Christ is far more, and far greater. He was
a man but He was also God. It was Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, that
made the tremendous confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
This is the key.
Why is this important? For Jesus Christ to be anything less than God
would be to undermine the salvation that He offers to you and me. He was
virgin-born, sinless, and holy. He died on Calvary, a hill outside of
Jerusalem, to pay the penalty that was ours. My sin, and yours, deserves God’s
punishment. If we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and confess Him as our
Lord and God, we can know forgiveness and peace.
What’s your opinion of Jesus Christ? This is something that needs a
decision!
