Word For The Day: Acts 5:27-32, 41-42, NIV
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
The Gospel (or Good News) of Grace and the Kingdom of God is the most wondrous pronouncement we will ever get to hear. It is better than winning the lottery or getting a big promotion as its impact reverberates through eternity. It brings about lasting peace both at the personal and global level that we all want but have never been able to achieve, the loving relationship we desire, real wealth that endures, and the profound meaning that we seek. The Good News that we are not defined by our past no matter how unspeakably tragic it maybe and about a kingdom where there is no more death, sorrow, or pain.
We are all born into a world that is broken: filled with evil, wickedness, violence, and apathy. We do not know how we got here and uncertain where we are going. It is like waking up in the middle of a movie or reading a book midway devoid of context, prologue, or epilogue. We need an instruction manual to life and a map for our journey. Our Heavenly Father in His love and mercy gave us the Written Word (the Bible) using people He chose through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to live and record historical narratives, prophecies, songs, sayings, and poetry that would instruct, inspire, encourage, comfort, and lead us. In the fullness of time, He sent His Son, the Living Word, the embodiment of Wisdom, the God who created time, space, and everything else to step into the annals of history.
This Son named Jesus proclaimed the Good News that God's Kingdom is near (as He had come to be with His people as the prophesied Immanuel, "God with us"). He made known the root cause of every wrong thing in the world (sin) and its consequence (death). He was the Lamb to be offered and sacrificed so God's wrath can be appeased. Sin separates us from God, the blessings that come from knowing Him and walking in His ways, and earns us the wages that come as a result. He took our place by dying on the cross and with it all debts have now been paid.
On third day, as prophesied, God the Father raised Him from the dead. He ascended to heaven and sat at the right hand of His Father. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in and empower those He called and will call. His apostles filled with the Spirit boldly proclaimed the Good News without fear, caring neither for their welfare nor their lives. Our Lord Jesus commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations teaching them everything He commanded them to do (Matthew 28:9-20). Peter admonished us to Repent, be Baptized, and Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This is the Gospel. And now, it has reached you. May our loving God open your ears to listen and take heed.