Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Dear Easter People,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
I’ve never met anybody who willingly undergoes “the knife.” But sometimes “the knife” is necessary. So, in order to correct a serious condition, people have surgery. And when it’s over many say, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?” The surgery might leave a scar. It might leave some residual pain. But it also brings healing and relief from pain – correcting whatever condition might have existed.
While surgery can bring about healing, eventually, due to the nature of life in a sin-filled world, our bodies will fail … leading to death and a more painful condition … eternal separation from God our Father – eternal death.
Peter stood before the house of Israel one day to bring the healing knife of God’s Word to Israel’s ears saying, “‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made (Jesus) both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified!’ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter … ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (Acts 2:36-37)”
God’s Word, spoken in sharp truth, cut through their sinful hearts like a razor-sharp scalpel, revealing to them their dire condition. It caused them to see they were helpless, on their own, to do anything about it. But Peter followed the sharp word of the law with the comforting, healing goodness of the gospel … “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. (Acts 2:38)” And that day, over 3000 people were saved from the eternal effects of sin and death.
We too hear God’s Word. We hear the cutting news of the law. It convicts us of our sins. We see our need for the healing word of God’s gospel. Then, as we confess our sins, our God and Father, on account of His Son, Jesus Christ, cuts them away with His forgiveness. As we say, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?” He restores us to full health and eternal life.
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor Jim