Take Two
Allan Gerh
There is a significant event happening next weekend on April 29; Prince William weds Kate Middleton. A number of heads of state are likely to attend the ceremony in line with previous royal weddings. To be invited to participate in an event is a powerful thing. It immediately conveys a certain significance on a person based on who it is that is giving the invitation.
The resurrection is the most spectacular event in the Christian calendar. It is the event in which God demonstrated his power over death. Let’s see who Jesus invited to the resurrection event.
Read Mark 16: 1-20
To be honest with you I find it a little strange that out of the possible choices Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene from whom he had cast out seven demons. Whether she was tormented as a result of her own choices or some other reason, Jesus forgave her and took her into the inner circle of the women who traveled with him without discriminating on the basis of her past. Not only that, he selected her to be the first witness to his resurrection. In church tradition she came to be known as the apostle to the apostles. Imagine how Mary Magdalene understood Jesus mercy.
The reason we don’t understand that God offers us a second chance is because we see the exact opposite in the world all around us. What would it look like if we understood that Jesus invites imperfect people with issues to advance his cause? It is the Easter experience that determines the identity of the church and how we should see ourselves. What I see is that the identity of the church is that we are the people of the second chance. Grace overturns the stereotypes of what you can become.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE SECOND CHANCE
Luke 22:31 Jesus said to Peter: Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. But Lord, he replied I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. Jesus answered I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.
1. Some of us need to give ourselves a second chance
2. God’s word always presents the good news of Grace before getting into any type of behavioral modification. I am accepted by God and it does not have anything to do with me.
Others of us have never given their life to Christ. You have been skeptical of this whole deal. Perhaps you have never had it explained in a way you could understand. Or you have just never thought that church was for someone like you. But today I want to give you the opportunity to make Christ your Lord and savior.
Say this prayer:
Dear God in heaven, I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your son Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins. I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Word that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved. Romans 10:9 Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone.Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eterna