2 April 2016 - what we have seen and heard

[ Today's Readings ]

Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.

Jesus, help us to become so convinced of what we have seen and heard that is impossible for us not to speak about it.  When your resurrection changes us others can't help but observe our boldness. Like Peter and John we may be "uneducated, ordinary men" without theology degrees but it doesn't matter. We know you, Jesus. And we can't stop talking about it.

You send many witnesses to tell us that the resurrection is real. We need to listen to them. But more than that, you yourself want us to have an encounter with you. You want us to know your rising from the dead by our direct experience of your risen life. We pray like Paul, "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection" (see Philippians 2:10). This is the only way we can be strong and bold in the face of suffering and persecution.

But my goodness, once we get it, we just can't shut-up about it. 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.

No matter what is wrong right now, now matter how we suffer right now, it doesn't matter because you have the victory which gives it all meaning. Death is defeated. Whatever we feel right now that is a symptom of death will be swallowed up in victory

What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable (see First Corinthians 15:42).

You reveal yourself to us, Jesus. You connect us to your own imperishable, unconquerable, and unkillable life. How can we be silent? How can we do anything but rejoice?

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.