“The Story of God’s Plan Continues”
Read Acts: 1:6-11
God’s plan for the salvation of the world began with the birth of a child in a drafty, cold stable. Jesus came into the world in humble circumstances and brought a teaching of love God’s love and salvation. Ultimately, Jesus humbled himself and his death on cross became the final sacrifice that Old Testament Law required for the forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus’ actions, and his love for all God’s children, we can be restored to a close relationship with God.
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the Christ child – Jesus – and we remember that our salvation was not our own doing. It was an act of God; a plan set in motion to allow us to find the close, loving relationship with God that that we were meant to have from the beginning. This is a relationship that is meant to help us and to guide us. Just as God has loved us, we were meant to love one another, but we struggle to do so. For that reason, Jesus went to the cross, not because he was forced to do it, but because he came to do it.
At Easter, Christians celebrated the empty tomb that had once held Jesus’ lifeless body. Yes, Jesus did as he told his disciples that he would do – crucified, dead, and buried, then rising from the dead on the third day. It might seem as if this was the fulfillment of God’s plan for us, but there is still more to come.
Jesus appeared to his disciples to help them in their time of fear and distress, and yes, they were extremely afraid of what could happen to them. But Jesus came to them to assure them that he was not dead, and that he would return to heaven. Again, this might seem to be the end of the story, but it continues because Jesus told his disciples that he would return, and at that time, all things will be put right. Evil will be defeated once and for all, and we will be blessed by God’s close presence – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This we will do on onto eternity, for this is God’s plan.
Blessings to all,
Rev. Bob Niles
Read Acts: 1:6-11
God’s plan for the salvation of the world began with the birth of a child in a drafty, cold stable. Jesus came into the world in humble circumstances and brought a teaching of love God’s love and salvation. Ultimately, Jesus humbled himself and his death on cross became the final sacrifice that Old Testament Law required for the forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus’ actions, and his love for all God’s children, we can be restored to a close relationship with God.
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the Christ child – Jesus – and we remember that our salvation was not our own doing. It was an act of God; a plan set in motion to allow us to find the close, loving relationship with God that that we were meant to have from the beginning. This is a relationship that is meant to help us and to guide us. Just as God has loved us, we were meant to love one another, but we struggle to do so. For that reason, Jesus went to the cross, not because he was forced to do it, but because he came to do it.
At Easter, Christians celebrated the empty tomb that had once held Jesus’ lifeless body. Yes, Jesus did as he told his disciples that he would do – crucified, dead, and buried, then rising from the dead on the third day. It might seem as if this was the fulfillment of God’s plan for us, but there is still more to come.
Jesus appeared to his disciples to help them in their time of fear and distress, and yes, they were extremely afraid of what could happen to them. But Jesus came to them to assure them that he was not dead, and that he would return to heaven. Again, this might seem to be the end of the story, but it continues because Jesus told his disciples that he would return, and at that time, all things will be put right. Evil will be defeated once and for all, and we will be blessed by God’s close presence – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This we will do on onto eternity, for this is God’s plan.
Blessings to all,
Rev. Bob Niles