Marlon’s Musings #19

Have you ever wondered if it’s too exclusive to say that Jesus is the only way to salvation?

Tomorrow morning (Saturday), I will explore that question by walking through the Bible’s story—from Genesis to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. If there had been another way to save humanity, wouldn’t this have been the moment for it to be revealed?

Instead, what we will see is something deeper: a Savior who wrestled with the cost, yet chose to surrender to the Father’s will—for us.

This is more than a theological idea. It’s a powerful reminder of what salvation truly cost—and what it means for your life today.

👉 If you missed the livestream, you can read the full post and discover why there was no other way. (The link will be live starting Saturday afternoon)

Watch the Livestream here. (Saturday, April 4 at 11 AM Mountain Time)

Video

One of my favorite modern composers of choral music is Eric Whitacre. I discovered his music when I was in college, and one piece in particular has remained a favorite over the years. It is a rather long piece, a little over 15 minutes of music, but if you have the attention span for it, I think it is definitely worth a listen. The piece is called “When David Heard.” I recommend using headphones or good speakers to get the full value of this incredible piece of music.

Quote

Jesus is tempted to seek an alternative to sin-bearing suffering as the route by which to fulfill his Father’s redemptive purposes. As with his self-confessed ignorance in 24:36, Jesus may simply not have known whether any other way was possible. He prays in agony; and though he is supernaturally strengthened (Luke 22:43), he learns only that the Cross is unavoidable if he is to obey his Father’s will.
D. A. Carson, “Matthew,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 544.

Blog

Life, the Universe, and Everything?

Why is the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything… 42?

In Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a supercomputer spends 7.5 million years calculating the Ultimate Answer — and delivers “42.”

Funny? Yes. But Adams, a proud radical atheist, painted a universe of pure randomness and absurdity. No meaning. No purpose. Just cosmic indifference.

That same nihilistic vibe echoes through philosophy and pop culture — the chilling realization that we’re just a speck in a universe that doesn’t care. Remove God, and life quickly slides into “nothing matters… so why not live however you want?” It sounds freeing at first. It gets dark fast.

In this post, I contrast that bleak worldview with the hope found at the cross.

John 3:16 isn’t just a cliché — it reveals a personal God who doesn’t just exist, but loves us enough to send His Son to die so we can have eternal life and real purpose.

Because if God didn’t spare His own Son, He will freely give us all things (Romans 8:32).

That truth brings peace instead of anxiety, generosity instead of selfishness, and confident hope even when life feels uncertain. It replaces “42” with something far better:

A Father who provides
A Savior who redeems
A calling to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8)

You have a choice: chase your own meaning in a random universe… or open the door to the One who’s already knocking (Revelation 3:20).

Read the full post here: Life, the Universe, and Everything?

One offers absurdity. The other offers love, forgiveness, purpose, and a future filled with hope.

Which answer will you choose?

That’s it for issue #19

For the previous newsletters you may have missed, you can click here (and scroll to the bottom of the page).

Until next time, may God bless you!

Marlon