I am a reader. It hasn’t always been that way. But sometime in my senior year of college, I discovered the joy of a good book.
Of course, I have my favorite types of books. I love a good hard-boiled detective novel. I pore over Bible commentaries. I enjoy sports books. Last week, I checked out from the library a historical novel, a fantasy, and a rough, tough cop book, all at the same time. I sometimes worry what the librarians must think of me.
Over the past couple of years, I have especially enjoyed a great many biographies. But I must tell you, I cheat. I always read the last few chapters first. I am curious to see what happened to the horse Seabiscuit. I want to know about the last days of Harry Truman, or FDR or even Babe Ruth.
Just recently I read two books that deal exclusively with the last days of two important figures in American history: Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.
In “Lee: The Last Years and Grant’s Final Victory,” historian Charles Bracelen Flood focuses on how these two formerly bitter opponents both worked for redemption, reconciliation of the country and forgiveness in their last days.
Of course, as we are approaching the celebrations of the last days of Christ on Earth: Good Friday, Easter and Ascension, I cannot help but think about how Jesus’ love, reconciliation and forgiveness, and salvation all came to a climax during his last days.
In fact, I am bold to say that the last days of Jesus Christ is nothing but the story of love, reconciliation and forgiveness, and salvation.
From the triumphal entry we celebrate on Palm Sunday, until his final instructions to “Go out to all the world,” Jesus was focused totally on our salvation because of his Divine love for us.
He allowed the crowds to proclaim him Messiah. How could he stop them? The rocks and stones themselves would have sung out! During that last week in Jerusalem, he taught and demonstrated what the true Messiah — Savior — really is. He taught and healed, he called out hypocrites, he forgave, he loved, and loved some more.
Then at the Last Supper, which we celebrate on Maundy/Holy Thursday, he gave himself to us forever for the forgiveness of sins. He commanded us forever and always to eat and drink, and remember we are forgiven sinners.
Later that night, when he was desperate for “the cup of suffering to pass” he perfectly obeyed God and allowed himself to be arrested, beaten, and finally led to Calvary.
At the cross on that first Good Friday, he died for us. In that moment of death, he took upon himself all our iniquities and reconciled humanity with God. He saved us from ourselves.
Then three days later, Jesus made our salvation complete. On the first Easter, he rose from the dead, leading the way for all who believe in him to be saved and raised forever to live with him in glory.
But he didn’t stop there. The risen Christ stayed around for 40 days before he ascended into heaven. In that time, he taught the disciples and us to go out in his name and teach and baptize and be ministers of healing and reconciliation, and show the world his love.
Those of us who are Christ followers — Christians — must live, not just in our last days, but in all our days like him, for love, reconciliation and forgiveness. We are to follow him and lead others to the Good News of salvation and eternal life in him.
The Rev. Steve Nofel is co-pastor of Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church.