Charles Dickens opens his novel, A Tale of Two Cities with “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” This famous quote may well be applied to our economy as we look from five years ago (the best of times) to today (the beginning of the worst of times). As I watch the news, I see so much despair at the crumbling of the world economy. Many American banks and investment firms have had to be saved from bankruptcy, people are losing their homes by the thousands, and many people have now found themselves out of work, perhaps especially in the auto sector. It is truly beginning to feel like the worst of times for many people and the need is there for the government to step in and intervene. All over the world, governments have begun to bail-out their economies by infusing huge amounts of money into them. China gave $500 billion, Germany issued $675 billion, Britain spent $500 billion and the United States initiated its bail-out with $700 billion and the possibility, according to the news, of another $700 billion on top of that. The worst of times.
Yes, the need for an intervention is there as we economically teeter on the brink of devastation. This reminds me of the spiritual history of the world. We too, because of our sin, teetered on the brink of destruction, but One came to intervene on our behalf. God looked into the spiritual state of mankind and, in mercy said they need to be bailed-out. They couldn’t do it on their own. So God sent the ultimate bail-out package to earth, his son, Jesus Christ. By entering into humanity and saving it from its sins by dying on the cross, God gave us a gift of immeasurable value. Hope. Hope for a better day. Hope for a time when, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” “(Revelation 21:4)
Christmas is on its way, as evidenced by the growing number of houses with lights up and the beautiful wreaths decoration the lampposts of 50th Ave. Christmas is the beginning of the story of the bail-out, the time when help was given. It will culminate at Easter, with the death and resurrection of Jesus. But for now, let’s remember this holiday season the great gift that God gave us, Jesus Christ and consider how we too may help out another and be their bail-out package.