For some people an important symbol is found on the American dollar bill: The top of a pyramid. It is seen by many as a poignant and profound symbol of the need to bring back into our lives that missing pinnacle. Some in the past have told me they saw me as one who would bring back that missing top of the pyramid. Now, to do so, I must proclaim two truths. The first is that the Father is actually the one true God, even over and above Jesus Christ His Son. Indeed His Son is by those very words shown to be up there with Him, but His Son, who many of us know to be Jesus Christ, is also one who calls this Father his God, his head, his ultimate authority figure, to whom he will forever subject himself. Secondly, I must proclaim in this same spirit of truth, the true message from God that Jesus Christ died for you. The top of the pyramid symbol is actually a synonym, or should be, of the higher symbol of the cross atop a hill. It was on a hill that there stood a cross and on that cross, between two crucified thieves, was this Son of God, with whom we can identify because he is human like we are, and there he died for the purification of your sins, and my sins, for your moral failings and mine. That sacrifice is the pinnacle of God’s own personal solution for our biggest problem, our moral tendency to do wrong, and for our personal histories of wrong doing, which must be atoned in God’s eyes, or else we could not improve, and could not confidently approach God for help. Jesus helped us by that death. God raised him a few days later, to physically live again, now given immortality in both his flesh together with his spirit. So he does still live, having still that resurrected flesh and bones, and will live forever like that. We can still look to him and can identify with him forever. But that cross of his death of atonement for us must be kept atop that hill, ever raised up in our estimation, like a symbol of the price paid for our having morally fallen short. Because of it, and when we believe in it, God gives the Holy Spirit as a mark, a sign, of our acceptance into His peace and His family of believers like us. It makes us one. As one, under the cross on that hill, we have no cause to lie to each other or to let anger turn to hatred of each other. Truth and love should rule our behaviour toward each other, with acceptance and forgiveness as we too have been accepted and forgiven by God. The commandments of God now apply to us, as those for whom God is our God. It can now lead to eternal life, because Jesus died and is risen, and we hold to his teachings, as his disciples, believing in him. Whoever, wherever we are. It is for all who receive it. Christ died for you.
