Friday; November 19

It was on a Friday about this time of year in 1963 when our nation was rocked by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. At 1:00 p.m. on November 22, President Kennedy was pronounced dead – news which would set off reactions and responses from around the world. Over that weekend, people mourned, an assassin was killed and a sense of innocence was lost. It was a sad time that was marked throughout much of the world – but, eventually most of the world returned to normal.
Several centuries earlier – on a Friday – another young charismatic leader was killed; but this time there was very little fanfare. Jesus (a carpenter from Nazareth) was crucified for claiming to be a spiritual leader. Over that weekend, there was a buzz around the area and a few people mourned; but the global reaction paled in comparison to Kennedy’s death. However, what happened on the following Sunday literally changed the world. When Jesus was raised from the dead, nothing would ever return to normal. Sin had been defeated and death lost its grip.

While there may be some parallels between JFK’s assassination and Jesus’ crucifixion, there is no comparison. Kennedy’s assassination may have changed politics, but Jesus’ altered history and changed eternity. There may be some memorials that honor President Kennedy over the next few days, but let’s not neglect the one that honors the life, death and resurrection of Jesus each and every weekend. When we gather to worship the risen Savior, we remember the One, “… who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans 1:4).

Think About It!

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