One of the best analogies I've seen to explain Christ's death for all and how we choose to accept His sacrifice. �No Bible verses, not sure if this is true or not, and do not know the author. �It's a little long...
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�There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.�� He taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution, a required course for all freshmen.�
� Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. � Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
� �One year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve.� Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
� One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"
� Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200 push-ups.� That's pretty good, Steve, " Dr. Christianson said.� � "Do you think you could do 300?"
� �Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."
� �"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
� �"Well, I can try," said Steve.
� �"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. �Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
� � Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."
� � Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday.� �Let me explain what I have in mind."
� Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. �Now, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
� �Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, �"Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?" �
Cynthia said, "Yes."
� �Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
�"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten.
� �Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
� Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, �"Joe, do you want a donut?"
�Joe said, "Yes."
�Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"
� �Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.
� �Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. � Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. �
�When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
� �Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"
� �Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
�� Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
� Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked,
� "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
�� With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.
� Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
� Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
� Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.
� Dr. Christianson started down the third row. �Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
�� Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" �Sternly, Jenny said, "No."
� Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" �Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.
�� By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.
�� Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
��Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. �He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
� �Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. �When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
� � Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next.�
� ��Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
� �Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
� �Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." �And Dr. Christianson went on.
� ��A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.
� �Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
� �Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"
� �Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."
� Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
� �Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. �"Yes," he said, "give me a donut." "Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"
� �Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort.
� �Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
� �Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.
� ��The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.
� ��Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked,
� �"Linda, do you want a donut?"
� Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
� � Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
� � Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.
� �Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. �"Susan, do you want a donut?"
� �Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
� �Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.
� � When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. � Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."
� � "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"
� � ��As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
� � � Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands �I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
� � �Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.
� � �"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."
� � Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior�Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole world, now and forever. �Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."
� �"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matt 25:32-34
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both SEARCH MY SHEEP, and seek them out As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I SEEK OUT MY SHEEP, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day!� Ezek 34;11,12
"I lay down My life FOR THE SHEEP�! John 10:15 NOT FOR THE GOATS.
And other sheep I HAVE, which are not of this fold: THEM ALSO I must bring, and they SHALL hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd! (referring to the Gentiles) Here notice.....He already HAS these sheep and because they are His sheep they SHALL hear His voice.
This said Caiaphas not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one THE CHILDREN OF GOD THAT WERE SCATTERED ABROAD!� John 11:51-52
The �Children of God scattered abroad� are NOT GOATS who transform into sheep by accepting Christ, but SHEEP who hear HIS voice and follow! John 10:27
He that is OF GOD heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, BECAUSE ye are not of God! John 8:47 They do not hear because they are NOT sheep. They are goats.
I disagree with you IWA, analogy is good.... it's a simple story for a child or anyone who has never realized who Jesus is or what it was that he had done and it's easy to see. Obviously it's not of the same grand scale of the actual sacrifice God made. But the story speaks a simple message to those who it's intended for.... someone like me, a simple type of guy.
"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, �Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.� And he laid his hands on them and went away."
(Matthew 19:13-15 ESV)
Jesus didn't belittle those who knew no better... He healed them, taught them, loved them, ultimately gave his life for them that they may have new life in Him .... but he had some very strong words for them who thought they did.
The Gospel is not to be analogized. It is to be proclaimed as it is.. in it's purity and holiness.. unadulterated. Besides, as I have shown, this blasphemous analogy presents a false gospel.
:applause:...A most excellent Post Teach...many people in the world today do not comprehend nor understand the obedience in the unselfish act of dieing to ones self for the sake of another...and our LORD Christ Jesus is the Perfect example..xo
Jesus spoke through parables, analogies...I put a disclaimer up front that it was not Scripture but an example...and for the record, I make no claim I am anywhere on par with Jesus except that imam joint heir with Him through His gift of salvation.
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Romans 6:23b ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
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Your verses do not refute this example.
This story shows that God set a price for salvation just like the professor set a price for a donut (not equating salvation to a donut...this is an object lesson). �
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1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price:therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
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God set death as the penalty for sin and Christ's death as the only acceptable payment for sin to be accepted into heaven. �In this example the professor set 10 push ups for a donut....and Steve's push ups were the only acceptable payment.
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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death...
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:�
**** throughout the OT are examples of the sacrificial death of animals for a sin offering, God killed the first sacrifice when Adam and Eve sinned****
Jesus died for each individual, making the payment for the debt available to each (whether they want it or not) �Steve did the required 10 push ups so each student could have a donut �(whether they wanted it or not).
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Romans 5:18-21
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.�Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
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The professor wanted all students to get a donut...even the additional students who entered the room. �God wanted all men to 'get' the gift of salvation.
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1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.�
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;�
6 Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.
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While early on in the story, people wanted the donut and accepted Steve doing push ups to get a donut. �One student didn't want the donut...like many do not want salvation, Steve did push ups so he could have the donut he didn't want. �Jesus death was for all, even those who don't want it...the price has been paid and is there for any to accept...just like the donut was placed on the desk...the student chose not to eat it, like one can choose to reject the gift of salvation. The gospel is presented, the individual chooses to accept or reject it.
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Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?�
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.�
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:�
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Some of the students wanted to do their own push ups...to get a donut like some people want to find their own way or work their way into heaven. Steve had to do the push ups...he did them even for those who wanted to do them theirself. �Jesus's death is the only acceptable payment for each person's sins.
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John 14:6�Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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Whether or not we choose to accept Christ's gift to us, the price has been paid.
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Romans 5:6-13
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.�
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.�
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.�
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.�
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
*** What will you do with the gift of salvation? �The price has been paid, will you accept Christ's death as the payment for your death penalty, or will you reject it?
Leviticus 19:1�And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,�
2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.
4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God.
5 And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord, ye shall offer it at your own will.�
***ye shall offer it at YOUR OWN WILL***
Leviticus 19:21�And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering.�
22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the Lord for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.
**** we must bring ourselves to the High Priest, which is Jesus, as Jesus has made the atonement for our sins. �The priest stood ready to accept and prepare the sacrifice for the sins of the people...until the individual brought the sacrifice to the priest, the sins remained unforgiven.
Jesus stands ready, already made the sacrifice, to forgive our sins when we come to Him and ask for forgiveness.
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Romans 10:13 For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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The price has been paid, the High Priest is waiting for the call to administer individually the sin payment, to apply His blood already shed, for the atonement of sin.
180 degrees away from the truth again. Why did Jesus speak in parables?
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mark 4:11-12
It was NOT to simplify things so that even a child could understand it. It was for the exact opposite reason.
Now hear this parable! John 10
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
*** The price has been paid, the High Priest is waiting for the call to administer individually the sin payment, to apply His blood already shed, for the atonement of sin.
Yes LORD YES!!!...100% AMEN!...AMEN!!!
Romans 5:6-13
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
*** What will you do with the gift of salvation? The price has been paid, will you accept Christ's death as the payment for your death penalty, or will you reject it?
