In his 1960 book, Planet in Rebellion, George Vandeman shared this incredible true story about the power of sacrifice.
It was May 21, 1946. The place—Los Alamos. A young and daring scientist was carrying out a necessary experiment in preparation for the atomic test to be conducted in the waters of the South Pacific atoll at Bikini.
He had successfully performed such an experiment many times before. In his effort to determine the amount of U-235 necessary for a chain reaction—scientists call it the critical mass—he would push two hemispheres of uranium together. Then, just as the mass became critical, he would push them apart with his screwdriver, thus instantly stopping the chain reaction.
But that day, just as the material became critical, the screwdriver slipped! The hemispheres of uranium came too close together. Instantly the room was filled with a dazzling bluish haze. Young Louis Slotin, instead of ducking and thereby possibly saving himself, tore the two hemispheres apart with his hands and thus interrupted the chain reaction.
By this instant, self-forgetful daring, he saved the lives of the seven other persons in the room.... As he waited for the car that was to take him to the hospital, he said quietly to his companion, “You’ll come through all right. But I haven’t the faintest chance myself.”
It was only too true. Nine days later he died in agony.
Nineteen centuries ago the Son of the living God walked directly into sin’s most concentrated ‘radiation’, allowed Himself to be touched by its curse, and let it take His life.... But by that act He broke the chain reaction. He broke the power of sin.
On the cross, Jesus Christ gave His life for us. He suffered all the agonizing pain and torment that you and I cannot even imagine. He experienced the Death we deserved. He endured the wrath of the Father against sin that we could never endure. He carried our sin and sickness. He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). He paid the penalty for sin that we could never pay.
Jesus was the Perfect sacrifice, “the lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). The Apostle Paul declared, “God made him who had no sin to be sin (or a sin offering) for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). His sacrifice for us – in our place – accomplished everything it needed to accomplish.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is stunning news for you and me because it means that the claims that Jesus made are validated. It means that the payment for the sins of the world was accepted by the Father. It means that we have hope beyond the grave. His resurrection guarantees us of our own (1 Corinthians 15:20).
The core of the Gospel (the Good News) is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His death, burial, and resurrection accomplished our salvation. All we have to do is simply accept that He died on our behalf, in our place. He accepted what we deserved. He is our Great Substitute. O praise His wonderful name forever!
This Sunday, March 31, is Easter Sunday and we will celebrate the glorious truth that “The Resurrection changes Everything!” Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (HonoluluAG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us.
Coming Up: An island-wide, interdenominational Good Friday service will be held at First Assembly (Red Hill) this Friday, March 29, at 4pm and again at 6pm. Our new teaching series, “Who is Jesus?”, begins the following Sunday, April 7, and will be followed by a Fellowship Lunch (potluck) right after the 10:30am service. Please join us!
Aloha ke Akua!