For those who dispute that Jesus is the only way to salvation, Jesus sought another way, as well, praying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me" (Luke 22:42). But there wasn't another way and there isn't another Savior, and only Jesus died for our sins. Peter properly proclaimed, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The Jewish religious leaders, thinking they had silenced Jesus in death, had only stirred up his followers, who saw their Savior rise, "and every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching" (Acts 5:42).
Now the leaders sought to silence the disciples, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name" (Acts 5:28).
For 80 years, the graduation ceremonies of Washington Community High School included a prayer, until 2001, when a lawsuit was filed and the court ruled, "No, you may not pray." That was the year prayer was silenced. Almost. Ryan stood at the podium, the final student speaker. Silent for a moment, he then opened his mouth to speak, but instead, "Ahh-choo," he sneezed. From out of the graduating class of 2001 came the response, when students shouted out the simple prayer, "God bless you."
Peter and John answered then as we must answer now, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20).
Daily Prayer
Lord God, I shout Your Name because You are worthy of praise. And if I don't, the rocks will cry out. Heaven and earth is full of Your glory. Creation itself declares loudly Your wonders, Your wisdom, Your beauty and grace, Your majesty.
Lord, may I be bold, may I say Your Name aloud because it is the Name of salvation, and because the world needs to be saved. How can I not speak of You? You are the good news of love to a lost world.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment