Psalm 126: 5 (NIV)
“It is finished.”
After uttering these words Jesus bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Jesus was dead. In dying He gave. He gave His life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He gave everything. He died as He lived—generously.
The thought of death has brought me to tears twice lately. The first was when a dear friend told me he had an incurable type of cancer and had fewer than 24 months to live. He then proceeded to tell me the cancer ‘joke’ his son cracked. And then he spoke of the Lord, and of the Lord’s love, grace and peace. I’ve often heard it said that who we are in life we are in death. My friend was the same funny, loving and gracious man with the big smile and warm hug that he always was. And He was just as much in love with the Lord now as he was before the diagnosis.
The second occasion was during Monday morning prayer with the staff here at Stewardship. Reflecting on the tragic airplane crash in the French Alps, one member of the team struggled through tears to reflect her thoughts for those on board who didn’t know Jesus and she exhorted us to share the good news of Jesus with those around us.
When was the last time you were brought to tears at the thought of a family member, friend, colleague, neighbour or a complete stranger who didn’t know the truth? Jesus didn’t die on the cross to make one way among many; he died to make the way.
Easter Saturday is about waiting—we wait for the glorious resurrection. But it is also about those waiting for the truth. If we don’t tell people that Jesus rose from the dead, affirmed his deity and calls us to repentance, who will? So while you consider the day’s challenge of an ‘over-the-top’ anonymous act, leave room for the days ahead and be anything but anonymous. Be the good news. Psalm 126: 5 (NIV)
“It is finished.”
After uttering these words Jesus bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Jesus was dead. In dying He gave. He gave His life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He gave everything. He died as He lived—generously.
The thought of death has brought me to tears twice lately. The first was when a dear friend told me he had an incurable type of cancer and had fewer than 24 months to live. He then proceeded to tell me the cancer ‘joke’ his son cracked. And then he spoke of the Lord, and of the Lord’s love, grace and peace. I’ve often heard it said that who we are in life we are in death. My friend was the same funny, loving and gracious man with the big smile and warm hug that he always was. And He was just as much in love with the Lord now as he was before the diagnosis.
The second occasion was during Monday morning prayer with the staff here at Stewardship. Reflecting on the tragic airplane crash in the French Alps, one member of the team struggled through tears to reflect her thoughts for those on board who didn’t know Jesus and she exhorted us to share the good news of Jesus with those around us.
When was the last time you were brought to tears at the thought of a family member, friend, colleague, neighbour or a complete stranger who didn’t know the truth? Jesus didn’t die on the cross to make one way among many; he died to make the way.
Easter Saturday is about waiting—we wait for the glorious resurrection. But it is also about those waiting for the truth. If we don’t tell people that Jesus rose from the dead, affirmed his deity and calls us to repentance, who will? So while you consider the day’s challenge of an ‘over-the-top’ anonymous act, leave room for the days ahead and be anything but anonymous. Be the good news.
Mike O'Neil
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