No Substitute

I enjoy pizza. Occasionally, we’ll make our own. I’m a pretty simple guy when it comes to food in general, and pizza is no different. Crust, sauce, cheese, pepperoni and sausage. Together, they taste pretty darn good!

Now, if one of those ingredients—say, the sauce—was substituted for—say, salsa—it’s quite a bit different taste (not good—don’t try it). If you’re told, for example, you’re having pizza, you have a certain expectation about how that is going to taste based on your prior experiences. When that pizza has salsa for its sauce, expectations will not be met.

For some things, there is no substitute.

Sometimes, we still try. Think about it. We have so many substitutions available these days. We have various brands, including store brands. Generic or not, pizza sauce will taste eerily similar to pizza sauce. If salsa is substituted, that flies out the window. The taste isn’t close.

I’m sure there are other examples of life like this, but this time, I’m speaking specifically about Jesus.

A pastor once shared an illustration. When Adam and Eve sinned, they created separation from God. Before that, they walked and interacted with God in purity, peace, and freedom. Sin separates. If we can imagine a deep dark divide between mankind and God, that represents sin, the separation. Now, humans can try all they like to bridge that gap and never will. This can look like individualism, self-centeredness, addiction, and many other things. It often leads to deep dissatisfaction.

Jesus lived, taught, died, and rose again. He did more to change the world in a very brief 33 years on Earth, knowing what would happen, knowing He would die. If you haven’t ever learned what the human body goes through during crucifixion, you should definitely check it out. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, He died for all of us. While he hung dying on the cross, He prayed for the Roman soldiers who put Him there. Two others hung with Jesus; one asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him he would be with Him in Paradise.

I can’t build that bridge to God myself. I need Jesus. I can’t do this life on my own. I need Jesus. I can’t become the best I can be. I need Jesus.

There is no substitute.

There are all kinds of Christianese. One that comes to mind is, “No God, no peace; know God; know peace.” I’m writing some of this on a day in which the Bible app had my favorite verse—my life verse, Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Give Peace a chance?