All over the UK, an enormous amount of money is spent briefly filling the sky with an explosive mix of vivid colours, smoke and noise. Many lives were saved when the plot by Guy Fawkes and others to destroy the Houses of Parliament was discovered. Perhaps the history of the UK would have been different if the plans had come to fruition!
Two thousand years ago someone far more honourable asked to be remembered. With simplicity and minimal cost Jesus Christ took bread and wine and requested that His followers remember Him (see Luke 22:19,20) and the Apostle Paul points out that this was to happen until Christ returns: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The plan in which Jesus Christ was engaged succeeded – a plan not to blow people up but to make salvation available to all the world. History has certainly been dramatically affected by what He did – and each of our eternal destinies can be impacted too.
While Guy Fawkes unwillingly died for his own guilt, Jesus Christ freely gave His sinless life so that the wrong that we have all done can be fully and eternally forgiven. It took considerable pressure for Guy Fawkes to reveal his plans, but the Lord Jesus had always been clear that His death and resurrection was a key part of His purpose in coming into the world: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Today, it is not a dead man that is celebrated by Christians – or even an effigy such as is used by those asking for “a penny for the guy”. Instead, a risen Saviour offers life, peace and hope to all who will put their faith and trust in Him: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
The firework celebrations of bonfire night are changing. Safety and environmental concerns are leading to the use of drones to put on light displays in the sky. There will be a time, too, when the remembrance of Christ using bread and wine will no longer be undertaken as it is only “until He comes”. The 5th of November only looks back – but you can look forward to a bright future by knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour.
