GOOD FRIDAY
Thirty-Ninth Day of Lent
I
am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen –
that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead,
would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.
that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead,
would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.
Acts 26:23-24
Paul, who had been such a persecutor of
the church and believers, now stands before King Agrippa and boldly proclaims
the good new of Jesus Christ. Agrippa gave him permission to speak, and Paul
did not look for politically correct language in which to couch his message!
It’s pretty strong! He says that he has
been appointed a servant and witness and sent to both Jews and Gentiles to open their eyes and turn them from
darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God so that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sacrificed by faith in
[Jesus].
Personally I think it would be
difficult to stand before a powerful king and tell him that his power comes
from Satan! Can you imagine telling someone who seems to have control of his
own life and yours that his eyes are
closed as a man walking in darkness? That he needs forgiveness? Paul did not
hesitate.
F. F. Bruce wrote a book entitled, Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free, an
aptly named book about this great apostle, undaunted by any danger he faced,
who changed the known world with his proclamation of Christ. God had set his
heart free. He wanted the same for everyone. In absolute obedience to Christ’s
commission to go into the whole world, Paul went.
Prayer:
Father,
help us speak boldly. Help us to clearly declare that the promised Christ as
come; we know this to be true because he has come to us. Amen.
And He Set His Face toward Jerusalem
A Lenten
Devotional Guide
prepared forHomosassa United Methodist Church
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
prepared for
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
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