Perspectives!

I saw a movie the other day called The Impossible -  a strange name for a film about a Tsunami.  At the end there is a scene in which Naomi Watts, who is recovering from the injuries she received in the waves destructive rush, relives the swirling, slicing, crashing experience of being in the wave.This scene from the movie reminds me of Romans 6 where Paul uses baptism as an analogy.  Baptism means ‘to wash’.  Imagine being literally in a washing machine.  Paul’s picture is like Naomi Watts spinning helplessly in the raging water.  The difference is that, in my imagination, Jesus is holding her.  She is ‘hidden in him’ and every sharp object, every obstacle, tentacle, shard and vortex impacts him not her.  She is held safe in him as he takes the punishment that would have been hers.  Jesus absorbs all the punishment and as he dies she metaphorically dies with him yet experiences all the benefits of his sacrifice.After a while, in the movie, she breaks through the water and takes a huge breath.  It is resurrection.  In my metaphor, as we break through into a new hope of life, we see it as a gift, not a right.  We have received undeserved favour: We have been carried, cradled, hidden all the way.  Yet we know we are undeserving.  If we are united with Jesus in his death, certainly we will be united with him in his resurrection.People who fully appreciate the gift of life have often stared down the consequences of death.  They are humbled, changed.People who have not encountered God always view him from their perspective. People who have encountered God view themselves from his perspective.  Our point of view can be the most important thing about us.For me, as a long-term follower of Jesus, I am constantly overwhelmed by his perspective of me.  Imagine thinking about yourself in total absorption and thinking only the most wonderful things! However hard you delve, you can only encounter ‘good’. [I’ll let you take a moment to let that thought sink in!]. That’s how God sees you in Christ.  That’s your position in him!In Romans 6, Paul tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus; stay hidden in him. Sin, shame, negativity, guilt have no place, no dominion over you in Christ.  There is no mirror reflecting your failures.  There is only the favour of Jesus’ smile and the beckoning of his outstretched arms.  This is the reward of his sacrifice and resurrection.I reckon that’s very cool, and for me it’s very cool over and over again.Prayers with you as you wrestle with the tsunami that is Romans.  It’s all about Jesus and your position in him. Enjoy it.Malcolm Potts