The Sacrifice Which Brings New Life

Prayer-Soldier

The Sacrifice Which Brings New Life

Scripture:

And Peter opening his mouth, said: You know the word which has been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached. Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem: whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day and gave him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him, after he arose again from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him. ( Acts 10:34a, 37-43 )

Know you not that a little leaven corrupts the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed. Therefore, let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness: but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. ( 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 )

And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled back from the sepulchre. And going in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were astonished in their mind at this, behold, two men stood by them, in shining apparel. And as they were afraid and bowed down their countenance towards the ground, they said unto them: Why seek you the living with the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spoke unto you, when he was yet in Galilee, Saying: The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. And going back from the sepulchre, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. And it was Mary Magdalen and Joanna and Mary of James and the other women that were with them, who told these things to the apostles. And these words seemed to them as idle tales: and they did not believe them. But Peter rising up, ran to the sepulchre and, stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid by themselves: and went away wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. ( Luke 24:1-12 )

Reflection:

And so it has passed through the generations; the story of the One who walked among the people, the One who shared the Word of the Father, the One who healed and did great works, the One who brought the people a new commandment to selflessly love one another, the One who offered Himself in sacrifice for the sins of the generations. And so it was that He was betrayed and so it was that He was taken. The events, witnessed by a few, has rippled through time for the salvation of many. Through those He sent forth, the Word was spread to the nations.

The testimony of His days has passed from heart to heart, from soul to soul. Generations are blessed in their hearing and reading. Though emperors, kings, tyrants and nations have come and passed; His church continues to endure. Though the evil one seeks to silence His Word, the faithful remain, blessed by the sacrifice which was made for them. Blessed are those who receive the testimony of those who witnessed, for through what is passed through the generations, the children of His creation learn of the forgiveness and salvation which is theirs through Him.

The challenge for each soul is to turn away that which corrupts and embrace that which brings salvation. Each day which passes presents a day where what destroys may be left behind. Each day presents an opportunity to replace what is evil with what is good; to replace that which is rooted in selfishness with selflessness. Each day offers a chance to draw closer to God and to bring His Word within the depths of the soul.

As time has passed, some have sought to change the relationship between the Creator and the children of His creation. They seek to change God to their image rather than to understand the blessings of His Word and to change their harmful nature to one of caring and holiness. Love does not evolve, good does not change, for selfless love is eternal; but evil will seek to find new ways to tempt and deceive. Blessed is the soul who seeks His Word, for it is through the Word that the truth and eternal blessings of the Lord are understood.

And so it was that the Son of the Father was put to death upon the cross and placed within a tomb. Though He had told them what was to happen, until they saw the tomb empty, they did not comprehend. As the days followed, what was grief and sorrow turned to great rejoicing as those He taught came to understand the sacrifice made for them and all the generations. They began to comprehend that what they witnessed was not an end, but a renewal; for through the resurrection, death was conquered so that all might live through Him; a new beginning, where those who come to Him shall find eternal life in the kingdom where evil has no place.

And so the good news is passed through the generations, news of His sacrifice, news of His death and news of His resurrection so that all might receive the blessings which may be found only through Him. As each year passes, blessed are those who hear and blessed are those who reflect upon what was done for them. Through those He taught, He built His church so that the children of His creation could also learn and worship their God in thanks and praise for the great love poured out for them.

As the sun rose upon an empty tomb, the news began to spread of a love greater than man, woman or child had ever seen. The news of forgiveness and the commandments to love were shared and many would throng to learn more of Him. Through the body of His church and the power of the Holy Spirit, His love is passed from heart to heart such that all who come to Him may experience this new beginning; a rebirth in the Spirit.

But evil continues to stalk this world and the faithful continue to face many challenges. And so as it was then, it remains now that there are those, pawns of the evil one, who attack it from without and within. Through words of deception, the people are seduced to believe that as generations pass and society evolves, the ways of His Word must also change; that His church, if it desires to keep the interest of the people must accept the ways of the people. Clever words are used to deceive the people away from their faith. Some betray the church from within; whether through words or sin which fail to reflect His truths, many are discouraged from entering His house or to become part of the body of Christ.

Blessed are the generations, for He told Peter that upon him He would build His church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. And so it has stood and and will continue to stand, despite all the persecutions, despite all the betrayals, for His promise is eternal. Blessed are those who come to Him, for they will find a better way.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier