Master Mentor #10

In this chapter, CS launches into a description or picture of redemption in the person of Jesus. In the midst of this picture, which CS admits is a picture, there are some struggles.
But the thing that I like the most about this chapter is the simplicity with which he tells the gospel. On page 59, CS says, “We are told that Christ was killed for us that His death has washed out our sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself. That is the formula. That is Christianity.”
I think what I like the most about this is that it is simple. Much of the remainder of the chapter, he attempts to draw pictures of what happened and how it should be relevant for all. And many of his pictures have value. But at some point, they all break down. They all become so tedious in trying to keep the various aspects together, that they can’t continue to function as a workable picture.
But what he says there on page 59 is simple. Many times in the church, our explanations of who Christ is and what He has done become so long and tedious that those who are listening have “changed the channel” so to speak in their minds. They have moved on to other thoughts and we lose them. This simple explanation of the gospel is something that we should all learn that we might have the privilege of sharing it with others.

Jim