This was a true story. Oh, the setting was different, the details were different, and it took place almost 2000 years before you were born, but you were and are just as involved in it, as if you were one of the hostages in the story. I'm sure you've already recognized the symbolism I've used, but I'll run through it anyway, just to be sure.

You and the other hostages in the bank represent all the people in the world throughout history. The terrorists represent sin. "Flurice" is Lucifer, or Satan. And the quiet, unassuming man is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, this is not a perfect analogy of the gospel story, but it is a good example of what Jesus did for us, when He offered Himself in our place.

Often, in today's "modern" society, it's hard to really understand what Christ did for us so long ago. We believe it, and we can intellectually discuss what happened at the cross, and the physiological aspects of crucifixion, but the reality of Christ's crucifixion, and what it means to us, can sometimes be a hard thing to grasp as we look around at our world today, with its skyscrapers, and computers, and all the other examples of modern technology. By placing the story in a more modern and recognizable setting, and personalizing it by placing ourselves in the story, it becomes much more meaningful, at least it does for me.

When Adam chose to disobey what God had commanded, we as a race became "hostage" to sin and its consequences. We had nothing to look forward to except death, both physical and spiritual. Total separation from God. By following Lucifer, the serpent, we allowed him to take control of the earth. Because of our sinful nature, inherited from Adam, we were under the sentence of death. We had no hope until Christ came and offered Himself as a final, perfect sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the world. He didn't have to do this. We did not deserve it, nor merit it in any way, shape, or form. He did it simply because He loved us. You and me individually, as well as the world as a whole.

All of the pain and agony He suffered on the cross, He did for us. And He only asked us to do a few simple things. Love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and body. Love our neighbor as ourselves. Go forth and evangelize the world. In other words, tell His bride that He loves her. We, as the church, are the bride of Christ. Everyone in the world has the ability to become part of the bride. By spreading the word of Christ's love to an unbeliever, we may be telling another future member of His bride that He loves them. We don't know who will and won't accept Christ, so it is our mission to tell everybody. We may be sowing the seed, or watering the ground, but God will give the increase.

When He returns to claim His bride, what will you have to tell Him? Will you have been faithful and spread His message of hope and salvation? Or were you too busy with living your own life to think about saving someone else's? The sweetest words I can ever imagine my Lord Jesus Christ saying to me are, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." How about you?

"And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12