THE FINAL DOOR (5 OF 5)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Mark 15:33-46, Mark 16:1-7
This content is part of a series.
The Final Door (5 of 5)
Series: The Road To The Final Door
Jeff Strite
Mark 15:33-16:7
OPEN: Several years ago I was flipping thru the channels on my TV set and came across a scene of a well-known sitcom of the day. It was a courtroom comedy that I really didn't like all that much, but what I saw on the screen at that moment caught my attention. The judge was sitting alone in his chambers, twirling a basketball in his hands, and having a monologue discussion with God. He spoke of the uncertainties of his own life and spoke with thanksgiving of what he had seen God do. It was riveting TV - open, honest and reverent. Then, at the end of his soliloquy, the judge took his basketball and tossed it up through a hoop… that was mounted on a wooden cross situated in the room.
It was a comedy. It was supposed to make me laugh - but I was infuriated.
As I was preparing this morning's message, I got to thinking back on that scene, and it occurred to me that this sitcom's writers were trying to make a statement. They were trying to say that they believed in a god… but not the kind of God we believe in. They were offended by Christianity and by Jesus.
It offended them that Jesus claimed "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
It offended them that Christians would believe that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
To those TV writers all religions were equal. All faiths would lead to God. But Christianity offended that belief, and so this sitcom sought to find a way to offend Christians.
(pause)
Last week, The Final Four came to an end. March Madness came to a close. What had started out as a major competition between 64 men's college basketball teams ended with a match-up between Ohio and Florida.
Just by way of disclosure: I was rooting for Ohio. Since Indiana didn't have a dog in the fight, it seemed on ...
Series: The Road To The Final Door
Jeff Strite
Mark 15:33-16:7
OPEN: Several years ago I was flipping thru the channels on my TV set and came across a scene of a well-known sitcom of the day. It was a courtroom comedy that I really didn't like all that much, but what I saw on the screen at that moment caught my attention. The judge was sitting alone in his chambers, twirling a basketball in his hands, and having a monologue discussion with God. He spoke of the uncertainties of his own life and spoke with thanksgiving of what he had seen God do. It was riveting TV - open, honest and reverent. Then, at the end of his soliloquy, the judge took his basketball and tossed it up through a hoop… that was mounted on a wooden cross situated in the room.
It was a comedy. It was supposed to make me laugh - but I was infuriated.
As I was preparing this morning's message, I got to thinking back on that scene, and it occurred to me that this sitcom's writers were trying to make a statement. They were trying to say that they believed in a god… but not the kind of God we believe in. They were offended by Christianity and by Jesus.
It offended them that Jesus claimed "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
It offended them that Christians would believe that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
To those TV writers all religions were equal. All faiths would lead to God. But Christianity offended that belief, and so this sitcom sought to find a way to offend Christians.
(pause)
Last week, The Final Four came to an end. March Madness came to a close. What had started out as a major competition between 64 men's college basketball teams ended with a match-up between Ohio and Florida.
Just by way of disclosure: I was rooting for Ohio. Since Indiana didn't have a dog in the fight, it seemed on ...
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