The Good News

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Forty days later we will observe Good Friday, the day on which Jesus was crucified. It is very important that we understand it is the son of God who is being crucified.

Mark 9:2-9 reports the transfiguration of Jesus. He took Peter, James and John to a mountain in Galilee and on that mountain Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus about what He would accomplish by His death. The disciples saw Jesus in His glory and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved son”. The glory and the voice testify that Jesus is the son of God. The 3 disciples are witnesses. Nobody disputed their testimony that the one who was crucified is in fact the son of God.

Seeing the risen Jesus on Easter and the days afterward, all the disciples testified that Jesus is the son of God. This is the gospel that they preached, the gospel that has been believed and still is believed by you and me and others who hear it. Jesus the son of God was crucified and rose again from the dead. The testimony of God the Father. The testimony of His miracles. The testimony of unimpeachable witnesses, all testify that Jesus is the son of God who was crucified and rose again from the dead.

Therefore He is what the Christmas angel said “good news of great joy for all people, for unto you is born a savior”. No human being could accomplish what Jesus did. There is no perfect human being who could sacrifice himself so that another person could be forgiven. Only the eternal son of God could by the sacrifice of His life take away the sins of all people. Our faith, our believing in Him, does not make Him the son of God. Our faith, our believing in Him, our trusting Him, bring to us the blessings that only the eternal son of God could provide: forgiveness of all of our sin, peace with God now and eternal life with Him in heaven.

Set aside some time during these next 40 days to reflect on the love of God who gave His son to die for you that you might live with Him now and forever.

Elmer Schiefer
Pastor, Family of Christ Lutheran Church
elmer@myglobalemail.com
573-529-0584