April 2, 2020

I went to Costco last week. It was stressful to say the least. A long line of shoppers wrapped around the building up to a closed gate. No one could enter until enough shoppers exited. When will the gate open? Will the items I need still be there? And when the gate lifted it didn’t get any easier. Shoppers cautiously pushed their carts within six foot boundaries. Sensitive ears were on high alert for a cough or sneeze. And only after carefully finding everything on your shopping list, a long line of shoppers wrapped through the store to check out. When will I get home for homeschooling? Will I have time to call into that important meeting?

Last Sunday Pastor Abe preached on being a faithful witness in stressful times. In Acts 24:1-27 Paul was caught up in an episode of Law and Order. The prosecution brought a case of disorderly conduct. The jury was rigged. A guilty verdict hung on their lips Yet Paul responds with truth and a faithful witness to the Truth, Jesus Christ.

There is an implication in Paul’s witness that puts everything in perspective. The second half of verse 21 says, “It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.” The Saduccees rejected the resurrection. And the Pharisees accepted a general resurrection at the end of time. But Paul referred to a personal resurrection of Jesus Christ that Easter morning. What is the implication of this?

Stress does not endure. Death does not win. No matter how difficult life becomes, it is temporary. The victory has been won by Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection. Hence, Paul declares in his witness that this life is not all there is! We do not live by the motto, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” But rather, let us do the will of our Father for when we die we’ll begin to truly live. Oh that our lives might be realigned to this gospel priority.

This is how Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Amen.