The Noose, Again

You stand on the edge of the board. The verdict is in, you are guilty of countless crimes against the Law, and the noose is around your neck. Your time is near, the executioner is making final adjustments. Fear washes over you. You are helpless. Your hands are tied back, there is no escape. You suddenly get claustrophobic at the loss of control and capability to move. Your eyes swell up and you make a vow to change if by some chance you live. A throw of the lever and the board drops out. You've done the crime and it's time to die. The punishment is to be carried out. He throws it, the board drops, but you don't die. A man catches you before your neck snaps. He removes the rope from your neck. You stand and watch as he climbs the steps and is beaten by the guards, but he goes on. He places the rope around his own neck and tells the executioner "It is finished" as he steps off. SNAP! The deed is done, the man has died for your crimes. He has saved your life, you owe him everything, he has given you freedom. You walk away that day and choose to live for the man who took your place. But as the days go on, you grow weary and go on with your selfish life. You've forgotten the man that saved your life. You commit more crimes, you turn a blind eye to the signs of his death. You are not willing to face him, you’re not willing to face yourself. You have become a selfish person. You cause his death to be forgotten more and more each day. You no longer share the news of your salvation as you once did. The world keeps turning and you've dug in deeper in crime. Only when you are on your way back to the noose do you care to acknowledge the man that saved your life. You think of the last time that he took your place and your empty vow. For you, it's the noose, again. Only in the worst of times do you call on him again. You've dragged him and his name through the mud of this earth and you can only ask him to take to the platform again. We as people go through this battle every day. Jesus Christ took our place on the cross so that we didn't have to take the punishment for our crimes. Crimes against the law. Sins against the Law of God. We no longer have to live a shameful life. The salvation in Christ makes you a new creation. Re-created in the image of Christ, as a Child of God. Follow your heart and don't deny the Truth. In times of great wealth, give credit to your creator. In times of poverty, call on his loving name. We can't live life for ourselves anymore. We need help. It is time to give up parties, drugs, and sex. All you get is headaches, overdoses, or HIV. Use your head, question everything. "Stand for Jesus, or fall for anything" Look to the cross daily. I once asked Jesus, "How much do you love me?" He said "This much" and spread his arms out real wide and died.

— Originally published in 2000 —