And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people… but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
– Acts 13:28-31, 37-39
I was struck in reading this passage of Scripture this morning how passionately Paul (and Peter and Phillip and Stephen and others) proclaimed the gospel of Christ with whomever they came across. Luke regularly records how the early church was fervent and bold to share the incredible news that Jesus is the Son of God who lived for us, died for us, and was raised from the dead for us. Much of this excitement I believe came from the reality that for them the resurrection of Jesus happened like yesterday. Well, not literally, but compared to us, I’m sure it felt that way. Jesus’ life and death and resurrection was incredibly real and close and palpable to the early church. They widely and loudly proclaimed Christ in many ways because they had no real choice. Something this amazing had to be shared. It had to be made known, even if that proclamation was followed by persecution and rejection. It didn’t matter, when God comes to us in human form, lives for us with perfection, innocently dies for the sins of those who reject him, and is miraculously raised from the dead, that’s a powerful story that has to be told. And it wasn’t just the spectacular nature of the story that made it compelling, it was also the result of all that. Sinners were forgiven and slaves were set free. Through this man forgiveness of sins was made possible and secured. Through this man, those chained by the bonds of works and self-righteousness and guilt were set free, forever set free. This is incredible, overwhelmingly incredible. A perfectly holy God came to sinful man, obeyed in our place, died in our place, and gave us new life through his resurrection. O what an amazing mystery that grace has come to me!
In reading this passage, I am overwhelmed with the greatness of God’s grace to save sinful man. I am also deeply convicted of my lack of enthusiasm at times in sharing this message. I’m convicted that unlike Paul and Peter and Stephen I am not boldly going into the world and bearing witness to the power of the gospel message. Why is that? I think too often I fall into the trap of believing the truth of the story, seeing how amazing it was, and moving onto what I think are bigger and better things.
Let me put it this way. One of my favorite movies of all time is “Dumb and Dumber” (don’t judge me). In one of the scenes Lloyd Christmas reads an article about the moon landing and beams with pride at the achievment. What’s the big deal? Lloyd reads the article in 1994. A few years after the event.
Why doesn’t anyone talk about the moon landing any more? Why aren’t we all shouting to anyone who will hear us, “We landed on the moon!” and celebrating the incredible achievement of sending a man into space? For one reason, it happened a long time ago and the newness of it has worn off. For another, quite frankly we’ve done cooler things since then. Far more advanced things since then. The moon landing as incredible as it was on that summer day in 1969, pales in comparison to what we’re doing today. We’ve lost the zeal for the moon landing, though great, because, well, we’ve moved on.
I fear some of us have moved on from the overwhelming greatness of the gospel. I fear some of us have moved on to “cooler” things, more exciting things, “deeper” things. Yes, there is some distance in time between now and then, but there is no diminishing of power and effect. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are as powerful and effective today as they were when Paul was proclaiming this message at Antioch in Pisida. The grace of God in saving sinners is as perplexing and outstanding and true as it ever was or will be. The promise to forgive and free through faith in Jesus is as genuine as it was when Paul appealed to those in the synagogue that Sabbath day so many years ago. The riches of God’s grace have not been depleted one iota since that incredible Sunday morning when the angels proclaimed to Mary “why are looking for the living among the dead”.
As you go today, meditate on the richness of the gospel. Let the reality of sinners saved by grace wash over you. Glory in your freedom secured not by your works, but by the works of Jesus. Magnify God for the lavishness of his love. Extol his name for moving heaven and earth to be with you and for you to be with him. Praise the wonders of grace that overpowers and destroys the sting, hold, and fear of death. Then go tell someone. Like Lloyd, even if you look like a fool, shout “Jesus was raised from the dead!” It’s no less a news-worthy story today as it was that Monday morning so many years ago.
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