Why The Cross?

1 Kings 16.15-34

Reference:  v.30 Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  I was recently asked to speak to a group of 9-12 year olds on the theme 'Why the cross?'  This is a huge topic and something that theologians have been studying for centuries and yet I was given a 7 minute time slot in a 30 minute chapel service!  Where was I to start?  While the cross is definitely a New Testament story I found myself digging deep within the Old Testament.  Ultimately Jesus died because of sin in the world.  I retold the story of Noah's Ark where, after wiping out all of humanity (except for Noah and his family) in a huge flood, God promises never to flood the earth again.  And yet people did not learn from the flood and continued to sin.  If I were God I probably would have broken my promise and wiped out all the people again and again.  But our God keeps his promises.  He would not wipe out all the people again and so he sent his own son to die in our place.

Application:  When I read through the generations of evil and disobedience to God I get a greater appreciation of God's faithfulness in keeping his promise and I stand in awe that he would give his own Son for us sinners.  Amongst all the evil kings Ahab really topped it off.  He 'did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him' (v.33).  And yet God still did not wipe them all out but kept his promise. I'm not sure I will ever understand the fullness of God's grace and faithfulness to his word.  But I stand in awe of a God who is rejected but sacrifices himself for the sake of those who rejected him.  What an awesome God we serve.

Prayer:  Almighty God, you are gracious and merciful.  Thank you for extending Your love to each one of us.  Amen.

 What is an aspect of God that leaves you amazed at His actions?

1 Kings