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| Picture taken from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ |
If you’ve missed the World Cup 2014, the result detailed above may
bring a measure of disbelief. Who would have thought that the host country, and
one of the most renowned and successful football nations, should receive such a
thrashing in the semi-finals of the competition? Even the Germans, who won the
match so decisively, could not have expected to score so many goals and achieve
such a victory. What happened?
The football commentators and armchair pundits have made many
suggestions. The manager picked the wrong team. The tactics were wrong. Large
parts of the team underperformed. Key Brazilian players were missing, either
suspended or injured. The strength of the German team was underestimated. I’m
sure there are all sorts of reasons and explanations. Few will be enough for
the many Brazilian football fans who wept at such a crushing defeat for their
favourites.
I think it would be an understatement to say that a mistake was made.
However, this “mistake”, that was broadcast across the world, and its results
witnessed by millions, made me think. I was reminded of a Bible verse: ‘None of
the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory’. Paul the apostle was writing of a decision that
was taken some 2000 years ago. In the face of compelling evidence as to the
innocence of Jesus Christ, Pilate, the Roman Governor of Palestine, took the
decision to allow the wishes of the people, and order crucifixion. The leaders
of Israel had wanted Jesus dead. They got what they wanted.
Pilate thought his decision would pacify the Jews. He was wrong. The
Jewish leaders thought the death of Jesus Christ would put a stop to His
popularity, and disperse his followers. They were wrong. Both were badly wrong!
There has seldom been a place of such turmoil and bloodshed as the Middle East,
and Palestine in particular. The leaders of the Jews could never have seen how
Christianity would develop and spread across the globe from the death of Jesus
Christ, and His resurrection that followed three days later.
Sadly, many are still “writing off” Christianity and Christ. Karl Marx
called religion ‘the opium [drug] of the people’. Marxism is now largely dead
but the Christian gospel is still being preached.
I wonder if you’ve ever thought about the Christian gospel. Have you
ever considered the message of the Bible? There are plenty of messages on the
Kirkby Gospel Hall website. Many make the mistake of dismissing it. Like Pilate
and the Jewish people, many have consigned Jesus Christ to history, and
forgotten that He is alive and His message still being preached! What of you?
To reject Christ could be the biggest mistake that anyone could ever make. For anyone
to die in their sins will have consequences for eternity!
