A Healing Balm

It seems that in every generation there are some who truly believe that we are living in the end times; that the latest tyrant is the long awaited anti-Christ; that in no time Christ will come down riding on a cloud from the East and set things right on this planet. Yet, we are still here; left to deal with the wars and the rumors of wars, and left to wonder when the Lord will have had enough and bring down the curtain. We speculate when, and in some minds, if, the Lord will finally show Himself and prove that He is the God we think He claims to be. 

Often blinded by the reality in which we live, we become restive. We forget that we are the Quick, not the Dead, and so we are limited in our knowledge of God and His ways and His love that reaches far beyond our understanding. We chafe at the thought that our God is the ultimate optimist. We are secretly annoyed in our knowing that God’s love yearns to reach even into the tyrant’s heart.

We want action now, but God has the patience to wait for the miracle, for that wonderful transformation from child of wrath into child of God.  We prefer wrath to be met with wrath, yet God meets the tyrant with love, and so our impatient irritation grows. We want revenge, while our God desires repentance. We want the Ninevites punished, while our God desires their forgiveness.[i]   

Easter has been observed by Christians for two millennia now and for sixty-three years by yours truly. Yet I often wonder at our, at my, limited understanding of what took place on that glorious Resurrection Day.

When Christ emerged from that darkened tomb and walked into the brilliant sunlight on His Resurrection Morning, He brought with Him a healing balm for all of creation.

From the holiest of saints to the most loathsome of sinners, Christ makes no distinction. His love, His offer of forgiveness, rebirth and eternal life is for all who would believe in Him. [ii] The balm of His forgiveness is available to everyone.

As Easter approaches, let me suggest that you consider those for whom you may hold ill will in the light of Christ. Consider them travel worn and sin sick in need of rest and healing. Offer them the salve of your forgiveness. As Christ has forgiven you, forgive them.

Pray not for their demolition, rather pray for their salvation. By doing so, you will walk in the Savior’s footsteps and find peaceful rest in your Savior’s shadow.
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Happy Easter
Pastor Tony
 


[i] See the book of “Jonah” chapters 3 & 4

[ii] John 3:16

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