But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” vs. 24
Acts 2:22-32
Luke tells us that from the very beginning, even from Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, the central message of the Church was that the crucified Jesus had been raised from the dead. He says that it was impossible for death to hold Jesus in its power. Later on Paul extends that teaching beyond Jesus, writing to the Romans that there is nothing in all creation, not even death, that can separate us from the love of God. And that’s the good news that is our bulwark as we move through these uncertain days beyond Easter. Scarcely a week goes by without news of one or another impending catastrophe, and some of us are now regularly hearing that one or another long-time friend or family member has died. It’s one of the realities of our temporal existence. And through those sobering moments when death seems so near, we cling to our faith and trust that God’s love will be our eternal companion. Just as wild flowers blanket the barren hills with their colorful displays every spring, we too will have new life. We may not know the shape of that continuing life–there is great mystery in the details–but we hang on to the hope. It’s the very best defense we have in the presence of our enemy, Death.
Thought for the Day: What is my prayer when I hear of a loved one’s death?
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