Can one man really make a
difference? The seven million residents of Honduras will answer with a
resounding “Yes!” In fact, they’ll give
you the name of the man – American soccer player, Jonathan Bornstein.
Honduras hoped to qualify to play in
the recently concluded World Cup. But
they needed the USA will tie or beat Costa Rica. The Americans trailed most of the way until
Bornstein scored the tying goal. Because
of his efforts, Honduras was in the world’s biggest sporting event.
Bornstein is loved in Honduras. One person said, “We love him!” Another stated, “He will always be
remembered.” The Honduran President offered
the soccer player an all expenses paid trip to a Honduran resort. A reporter for a Honduran television network
put it like this: “Bornstein is like our savior.”
That’s some pretty heady
praise. Because of one goal, Bornstein
is hailed as a hero, a savior, by an entire country. One man can
make a difference.
Followers of Jesus Christ know this
truth well. Jesus is the difference
between life and death for all who believe.
The apostle Paul wrote: “There is one God and one Mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men.”
A ransom is simply a payment. A ransom sets a person free who is enslaved
or held captive. God’s Law had us locked
up, so to speak. Since we cannot keep
the Law perfectly, the Law condemns us.
It pronounces us guilty before God.
We needed someone, anyone to rescue
us from our dire situation. That’s what
Jesus did. He is more than someone who
is like a savior. He is our Savior! He
gave His life as a ransom for many.
Here’s how the apostle Peter put it: “For you know that it was not with
perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty
way of life handed down to you by your forefathers, but with the precious blood
of Jesus, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
You see, Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection does more than make seven million people happy. All who embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior are happy to be the people of God. One day we will lift up more than a World Cup trophy. We will be given the Crown of Life, won for us by Jesus at the cross. Yes, one man – Jesus – does make a difference…for you and me.
From August 2010
