Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:30, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.”
In 1973, historian Richard Morris identified seven men as the key founding fathers of our nation. Six of the seven names were quite familiar to me, as I’m sure they would be to you. But one man, John Jay, was a relative unknown. As it turns out, Jay was our nation’s first Chief Justice and was the second governor of New York. During his time in office, he championed the cause against slavery and enacted a law that led to the abolishment of slavery in New York. Jay was also a committed follower of Jesus. He served as Vice President and President of the American Bible Society, and he believed that the most effective way of attaining world peace was through the sharing of the gospel of Christ. He also said, “No human society has ever been able to maintain both order and freedom, both cohesiveness and liberty apart from the moral precepts of the Christian Religion.” So when someone refers to our forefathers, or our founding fathers, part of the image and idea that they are conjuring up is one of men, like John Jay, dedicated to leading a nation for the glory and honor of our Lord.
When Peter and the others referred to the God of our fathers as the One who raised Jesus, they too were conjuring up a specific message. Jesus Himself had explained to the Sadducees, who did not believe in life after death, that the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was not a God of the dead, but of the living. So God, who raised up Jesus from His death on a tree, was doing what He always has done when He gave life back to His own. The fathers died the deaths that their sin brought upon them, and God raised them up in heaven to be with Him in glory. But Jesus died a sinless death to make all that possible, and He walked out of His grave as victor and redeemer. God is truly a God of the living, and that image should prick your heart to live a life for Him, full of liberty and grace. The shackles of sin have been broken, and they should have no place on your hands and feet. If they do still have you bound, or if you feel them tightening and pulling you in, come to Jesus, the God of our fathers. Let Him do what He has always done and know the freedom of forgiveness and grace.
As we seek Him today, let the God of history, the God of our fathers, be your God of today, your God for tomorrow.
Have a splendid Monday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
