Easter Monday
Today's Word:
Acts 2:22-33 (Peter: "God raised Jesus up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it")
Psalm 16:1-2, 5-11 (Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope)
Matthew 28:8-15 (The sleeping guards are bribed by the chief priests; the story: The body of Jesus was stolen by disciples during the night)
The lengths some will go to...
The thing that strikes me as odd is: Why was this tidbit included in Matthew's gospel? I suppose we could make the case that as Matthew's audience consisted primarily of Jewish converts, this was the story being passed around Jerusalem. But the appearance of this caveat seems rather strange, considering Matthew's use of Old Testament quotes to affirm his belief and build his case that Jesus is the Messiah.
What a strange temptation - and nonetheless, it appears in sacred Scripture.
Still, the power of the resurrection contains a hope far greater than the lure of a bribe to keep quiet.!
I saw it again today in the face of a little child
Looking through the eyes of fear and uncertainty
It echoed in a cry for freedom across the street and across the miles
Cries from the heart to find the missing part
Where is the hope, where is the peace?
That will make this life complete
For every man, woman, boy, and girl
Looking for heaven in the real world
To stand in the pouring rain and believe the sun will shine again
To know that the grave is not the end
To feel the embrace of grace and cross the line where real life begins
And know in your heart you've found the missing part
There is a hope, there is a peace
That will make this life complete
For every man, woman, boy, and girl
Looking for heaven in the real world
Heaven in the real world
It happened one night with a tiny baby's birth
God heard creation crying and He sent heaven to earth
He is the hope, He is the peace
That will make this life complete
For every man, woman, boy and girl
Looking for heaven in the real world
--Heaven in the Real World (1994)
Steven Curtis Chapman
No comments:
Post a Comment