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The Chicken! The Road! The Truth!

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So why did the chicken cross the road? Philosophers and other really smart people have pondered and discussed this for years. You know what? I'm convinced that the answer to this whole chicken/road thing is the key to understanding a huge part of life. Really. I mean, if we could answer how an animal driven by instinct and therefore incapable of motivation (as in...why am I doing this?) and who is also totally unaware of concepts like 'roads' and 'the other side' could be doing something like asking why she is crossing a road...I think we could cure the common cold and figure out how to communicate with aliens.

But maybe that's just me...again, way too much free time.

Oh, but there are others like me who have attempted to answer this burning question. And their answers have to be true because I found their quotes on the internet - you know - the fortress and mainstay of truth for millions! For example, when Moses was asked this question, he replied - "And God came down from the Heavens, and He said unto the chicken, 'Thou shalt cross the road.' And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing."

Then there's Hitchhiker's Guide author Douglas Adams's Answer: "Forty-two."

Or maybe you prefer Darwin's response?

"Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically disposed to cross roads."

But my all time favorite is the one we could all expect from our grandparents - " In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Someone told us that the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us."

Well Gramps - if it was good enough for you, 'nuf said. Of course there is another question out there that runs a whole lot deeper than even the classic chicken/road inquiry. The other difference is that this question is no joke, and the answer is no joking matter. In fact, how you answer this question truly is the most important decision you'll ever make. So don't let this question ruffle your feathers - and definitely don't chicken out until you've made a decision on how to answer it!

Ready?

Why did Jesus take the road to die on the cross?

In other words, why did the innocent Christ willingly choose not only to be killed, but to be horribly tortured and brutally murdered on one of the most horrific torture devices ever conceived?

Again, search the internet, and you'll find a googlezillion different answers to "why did Jesus take the road to die on the Cross?" To name a few:

Ms. Skeptic: There was no Jesus - therefore this is a non-question.

Mr. Religious: He died on the cross so I could then add all my super-duper impressive religious type stuff and earn my way to heaven!

Ms. Politically Correct: He died on the Cross to set an example of love and teach us that all religions basically teach the same thing.

And on and on. Not that I begrudge folks for their opinions on this is subject...but that's exactly what these answers are - opinions, views, and estimations based on personal observation. Personally, I prefer to look at the Truth for the answer. So because this issue is so critical - let's take a look at the three main reasons God's word gives as to why He took the road to die on the Cross:

#1 - To provide the only payment for our sins

Problem - everyone is a sinner. If you're not convinced of this, check out your own life, check out the sin of pride, and check out this verse:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)

Because God cannot let sin/sinners into heaven, He sent a solution:

He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1-2)

#2 - To provide the only path to heaven

Problem - we can't earn our own salvation, because God requires a perfect life followed by a sacrificial death for that.

Because no one would be able to do that, He made a way:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. (John 3:16-17)

#3 - To provide the only power over sin

Problem - after we trust Christ for salvation, we still can't defeat sin in our own power.

Because God wants the best for His children, He gives us the power:

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

So maybe we should spend a little less time thinking about problems regarding McNugget food, streets, and motivations, and more time on the truly important question:

Why did Jesus take the road to die on the Cross?

Bottom line:

To get us to the other side!

Head: What you need to know about this truth

Jesus Christ died on the Cross to provide us with:

• The payment for the sins of the world.
• The only path to heaven.
• T he only power over sin.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

A famous writer named Oswald Chambers once wrote this: "All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell is terribly afraid of it, while humans are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning. "

Don't ignore what meaning the Cross has for your life, because He sure didn't ignore you when He suffered and died. Take a moment and reflect on how the Cross makes you feel. If you're not feeling heartfelt gratitude and humility, the question you need to ask is...have I truly trusted Him as my only hope of salvation?

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Ask your friends why they think Jesus died on the Cross, then be prepared to share the 3 main reasons with them. You could also throw this question up in a chat room discussion and/or myspace bulletin.