Scripture

Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life.”

Observation

Filled with jealousy, the High Priest has the apostles put in jail. An angel comes at night and sets them free, telling them to go and give the people the message of life.

The High Priest then convenes the Council, but when they send for the apostles, they are told that they are not in the jail. Then a report comes that the men are preaching in the Temple.

Application

Christians can always be certain to have enemies. There are people around who do not like the idea that there is a God who judges and forgives sin.

The angel gives a commission to the apostles as they are liberated from the jail: go to the Temple and give the people the message of life.

The Gospel is Good News because it brings life- real life, abundant life, eternal life.

The Gospel is about real life because it connects us to God, the source of life. Most people live a half-death in which their bodies function and their brains work, but their spirit is dead. When the Holy Spirit comes in, our human spirit is born again and, connected to our power source, we live life as it was intended.

The Gospel is about abundant life or life in all its fullness. As I write this, the coronavirus is wreaking havoc right across the world. The Australian economy has partly shut down, and tens of thousands of workers are suddenly unemployed. People who believed in the power of money to provide meaning to their lives suddenly find their whole existence is under threat. God gives us so much more than coffee and avocado on toast.

The Gospel is about eternal life. Eternity is life without end, life without limitations. We will live with God forever, and that gives (or should give) christians confidence, peace and joy in every situation.

This is the message of life. Our Saviour who lived without sin took our sin on His body and put it to death. Death is dead, and we are alive!

Prayer

Thank you Father for this “message of life” bu which we experience fullness of life. Amen.