…we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-4, ESV)
Anyone who thinks golf is boring has never experienced the creativity, imagination, and skill that’s required to hit a flop shot over a bunker from a tight lie to a foot from the hole or curve a ball around a tree from the light rough over a lake to the middle of the green.
For all the excitement that Harry Houdini created for his fans, there was nothing quite like watching Severiano Ballesteros escape from impossible lies.
With a combination of imagination, skill, and courage, Seve escaped situations that others would never consider, much less attempt.
Jordan Spieth is a kindred spirit when it comes to extricating his ball from a “spot of bother.” Watching Jordan navigate 18 holes has more nerve-wracking moments than any roller-coaster ride.
Golf has always enjoyed those few, rare risk-taking players who defied the odds with unrivaled abilities to find their way into and out of trouble.
Bubba Watson’s snap-hooked wedge from out of the woods on the tenth hole at Augusta National to win the 2012 Masters still has people shaking their heads—curving the ball 40 yards around a magnolia tree with a wedge to 15 feet is extraordinary stuff.
No one relishes finding themselves in trouble on a golf course, but most of us would agree that executing a shot to escape danger to make birdie is exhilarating.
Escaping trouble on the golf course is one thing; escaping trouble in life is an entirely different ballgame. Most of us recall moments in life when we were up against it, and somehow managed to dodge a bullet.
For all our abilities to escape disasters on or off the golf course, there is only one way to escape the future judgment that is coming from heaven’s high court.
And while it is hardly ever pleasant to talk about the “day of judgment,” if we are to remain faithful to the whole message of Scripture, we must. Surprising to many, what makes the good news so good is that the bad news is really that bad.
The author of Hebrews mentions two messages: first, the message delivered by angels at Mount Sinai and, second, the message preached by Jesus, then the apostles.
The message given to Moses at Sinai is the law of God that all of us have, sadly, broken. That is the bad news, and no rescue club in the world can get us out of that jam.
However, the second message is the greatest news ever heralded— it is the news of “a great salvation.” The good news of Jesus Christ in its simplest form is this: Jesus lived the life we should have lived and died the death we all deserved.
Which is to say, that which God required— “perfect obedience”—Jesus accomplished on behalf of those who believe. Additionally, the judgment we deserve for transgressing the commandments of God, Jesus bore at the cross on behalf of believers.
You might say, “Am I to believe that God punished his own innocent Son for my crimes against the throne of heaven?” The answer, of course, is a resounding “yes.” You might respond with, “This is too good to be true.” In truth, this is so good it has to be true.
At this point, the question is, “How do we get in on it?” The answer: Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life to those who repent of their sin and trust the Savior with their lives.
Turn to Jesus and live.
Prayer: Lord Jesus! Give us greater understanding of your justice that we might value your grace more appropriately.