(Audio)
The Easter proclamation will never be politically correct. Telling the world that Jesus's blood was shed for the sins of all mankind, that he was raised, and that only with him as leader as savior can anyone receive repentance and forgiveness of sins, this will never be popular or socially acceptable.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We can't let others silence us. But so too must we not allow our own flesh, the old self, to keep us silent out of fear or the desire to be accepted. Some things are more important than fitting in. The eternal destiny of souls if chief among them.
When we experience difficulty we often choose to seek refuge in the familiar.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We also will come with you."
But the LORD is risen and gathering us around his table.
Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?"
because they realized it was the Lord.
He is calling us to move beyond our failures and our difficulties into love for his people, the sheep of his flock, and those who are meant to be.
"Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Our love must not remain chained by anything that is merely human. Jesus gives us the power to love beyond those limits.
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
Beyond the limits of ourselves and our own weakness what do we find when the love of God is truly all in all? Glory beyond imagining.
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing."
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea,
everything in the universe, cry out:
"To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever."
With the four living creatures and the elders let us fall down in worship.
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