I wonder sometimes about those who are so preoccupied with day to day life, their future, their kids, their jobs, friendships and just where it is they belong in their journey of life.  I have met those, though, who are really not concerned about their future.  I mean their ultimate future.  I also wonder if they knew the gravity of it, if it would make any difference to them.  I have met those who are clueless about their ultimate future – their life here-after.  They just hope that they have been good enough to ‘make it’ (go to Heaven).  Then, I’ve met those who are sure beyond a doubt of their eternal life with Christ in Heaven.  And I’ve met those who have spent a life not only of pure selfishness, but who have totally rejected any thought of a Supreme Being, Creator, or Savior – who want nothing to do with Him – who literally curse Him.  I’m wondering if one day, ‘had they known . . . ‘

It seems more and more that there are those who consider themselves to be their own ‘god’.  Paul was teaching the Corinthians in his first epistle to them (2:6-9) that ‘it is not a wisdom of this age or of its rulers -which will pass away – but the wisdom of God that was decreed before the ages for our glory.’  He goes on to say, ‘None of the rulers understood this – for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory’.  Every day that one is not surrendering to Christ, they are crucifying Him!  Had they known, would they not have rejected Him?

Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to distribute food and aid to members of the early church.  As he was addressing members of the Sanhedrin, it caused many to curse him – to curse the One of Whom he was speaking.  “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.  But he, being full of the Holy spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’”  As he was being executed by stoning, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’.  (from Acts 7:54-60)  I have to wonder – ‘had they known . . .’

Several years ago, I loved singing Sandi Patti’s version of ‘They Could Not’.  As we celebrate Resurrection Day this April, rejoice with me that no ruler, no earthly power could keep Jesus in the grave!  A most Blessed Resurrection Day to you all!!  I am so grateful that ‘I know’.

THEY COULD NOT     (by Ron Harris and Claire Cloniger)

They looked at Him and saw a simple man
A carpenter with healing in His hands
They saw Him calm a sea and heal a dying man
They saw but could they really understand

They listened to the teaching that they heard
They wondered at the mystery of His word
They wondered what He meant, about a Father’s plan
They heard but could they really understand

They could not, They could not
Though they tried, they could not
They listened to the teaching about a Father’s plan
But could they really understand, they could not

So finally upon a rugged cross
They killed the man who would not suffer loss
And when at last they took what willingly He gave
He died, but could they keep Him in the grave

They could not, They could not
Praise God, they could not!!

Would it have been any different if they had understood – ‘had they known’ . . .?