A Good Man Died

Romans 5:6-8

New International Version (NIV)

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 8:12

King James Version (KJV)

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Psalm 62:5

New International Version (NIV)

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

    my hope comes from him.

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Tonight I watched the networks' coverage of the death of Nelson Mandela, a man we have every reason to respect and admire; but I found myself dismayed by NBC's Brian Williams opening statement, "For millions who loved him -- in the modern country he formed and around the world, he was the hope and the light of the world.  Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95."

Oh my, if the hope and the light of the world has died we are a people to be most pitied indeed.  Thankfully, Jesus, the Son of God, who's birth we will celebrate this month is the light of the world; and, because of his resurrection from the dead, He is our hope of life eternal.  Let's not deify men, it's an impossible burden to carry; and one Jesus already carried to the cross.

"Hosanna" - Soweto Gospel Choir