Good morning: “You were driving 15 mph over the speed limit.” “Your blood pressure is too high.” “You’re failing the class.” “You owe additional taxes.” Have you heard something like that lately, news you really don’t want to hear? We might comfort ourselves by saying, “It could be worse.” But what if it couldn’t possibly be any worse? What if the news were, “You crucified the Son of God!” That was Peter’s message to the crowds on Pentecost. They were guilty. They had clamored for Jesus’ death. They badgered and threatened Pilate until he finally caved in and handed down the order for Jesus to be led away to Calvary. The mob shouted, “His blood be on us and on our children.” There is no news worse than that. What does that have to do with us? God tells us we too are liable for Jesus’ death. The blame does not just lie with Pilate or the Jews. The Bible says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Is. 53:5). “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21). The sins of yesterday: the angry outburst, the impatience, the neglect of what the Lord wanted us to do in love, plus all the other sins of all our other yesterdays were the cause of Jesus’ horrific suffering and death. It hurts to hear. It’s terrifying to contemplate. Yet we need to hear it in order to appreciate God’s final word regarding our sin. In his Pentecost sermon, Peter went on to tell the people, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). We were guilty, but Jesus took all sin upon Himself and paid the full price for our forgiveness. We now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! May that news bless your day and make us eager to hear it again tomorrow. Yours in Christ, Pastor Service times tomorrow are 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. (Remember to move clocks ahead one hour for DST). Sunday school is at 9:15 a.m. Adult Bible class is at 9:30 a.m. We are continuing our study of how God has given us His Word, the Bible, down through the centuries via the original manuscripts, carefully preserved copies, and translations. The activity committee is asked to meet in the kitchen at 10:15 a.m. to coordinate arrangements for Friday’s Tour Choir concert. Help is needed for the choir meal Friday with setup, serving, and cleanup. Check the signup sheet in the hall.
