Football divides a city. It might be Manchester, after the big derby game, or Liverpool, or Glasgow. It could be so many other major cities or geographical areas. Which team you support is a big issue! Travel in wrong colours and tempers can become frayed and attitudes polarized. It is something so simple – just 22 men kicking a football around – and yet something that generates so much passion. In such a charged atmosphere, how can you remain impartial? Which side will you support?
There was a scene outside another city 2000 years ago. It was not a confrontation upon a football field. In that scene outside of Jerusalem passions were running very high. The crowd had not been cheering on a team but baying for the death of one man. That man was Jesus Christ. He was now impaled upon a Roman cross in the centre of two other criminals who were being crucified with Him. These two criminals, one on either side, typify divided opinion. One joined with the crowd, mocking and taunting Jesus Christ upon the centre cross. The other man was different. At first, he had followed the crowd. Now, he had changed his mind. He had seen the crowd. He had witnessed the brutality of that scene. But, equally, he had heard the words of this man upon the centre cross. He had watched His attitude and behaviour.
Jesus Christ was different! Who else would say, ‘Father forgive them’, in prayer to God for a crowd that had put Him to death? Who else would think about others when it seemed His own life was ebbing away? One criminal came to a decision that rather than follow the crowd he was to seek the favour and blessing of this man who hung upon the centre cross. It might only be ‘Remember me’, but that would enough.
Mankind can be divided upon many things. Some are really trivial. Some seem of major importance. Which criminal would you have followed upon that day? Would you have joined with the crowd and mocked and ridiculed Jesus Christ? Many do today! Or, will you appreciate who He is, what He has done in dying upon Calvary’s cross, and what He can do for you today?
