Monday, 15 April 2013

The Thatcher Legacy


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!