Men like David Attenborough epitomize the verse in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that says,” For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” David Attenborough’s argument against God is to say in effect, “Is this it – is this the only plan God could come up with?” Sin and rebellion (lucifer’s) had challenged the harmony of the universe. Sin brings a curse, (Galatians 3: 10-13) which is death. It is the law (10 commandments) that identifies what sin is (Romans 3:20). So, the problem is the law, and the law offers no power to save. There was no way for God to by-pass His immutable law except to take its deadly curse upon Himself. As noted yesterday Jesus was equal to the law and He laid down His life as your substitute by taking the penalty of the law (death) upon Himself. God invaded time and conquered death by robbing the law of its power to condemn.

As we consider yesterday’s summary of God’s pantomime drama in the Hebrew Sanctuary service, we should now note that when the curtain, which represented the barrier between us and God, was torn from top to bottom (Matt 28:2) it signaled the acceptance of Jesus sacrifice by the removal of the barrier between God and man. I find it significant, that the first person to see Jesus after the barrier was removed was one who “had been forgiven much,” a prostitute (John 20:10-11). A few days earlier Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, had anointed Jesus as her king. Jesus honoured Mary Magdalene, one of the greatest sinners, by bestowing on her the privilege of being the first to see beyond the veil to His new kingdom, where death has no dominion. That honour now belongs to us as we follow.

So, is God a fussy God? Is God a particular God? Does He worry about the details? In the Old Testament justice was almost instant. In the New Testament justice is the same, it just takes a little longer, but both have the same end. The wages of sin is still death. Jesus has taken the penalty; therefore, it takes a little longer for the unrepentant to receive justice. We should, however, ask ourselves if it is OK to mess with God’s revelations and instructions.

The fact is, there is the same balance between the Old and New Testaments. God has not changed a single opinion and the penalties haven’t changed either. Thankfully, His mercy remains the same also. God’s standard of right and wrong has not changed either. If you read the New Testament correctly there is a frightening consistency with God’s intention to deal with and punish sin. The remedy is offered now in a time of mercy.

There is nothing as frightening in the Old Testament as Revelations white throne judgment, the lake of fire, the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, or the “wrath of God poured unmixed into the cup of His indignation.” What about the 7 last plagues that are a mirror reversal of the days of creation, and are a re-run of the plagues of the cross – calvaries blood, darkness, earthquake, thirst etc. These are the judgments of God upon sin. They are in effect saying, accept that Jesus has taken your penalty (judgment) or pay the penalty yourself, with your own life.