Good morning, dear ones.
Cloudy, but no rain. Hope I can make good use of the non-rain and get a big batch of urgent outside work done today. There will be some graphics—but mainly finishing up a shed that I plan to haul to Medford on Tuesday.
Have a blessed day and an inspiring Easter Sunday. Love—Ray.
Paul is a prisoner of Rome and has finally reached that capitol city to eventually stand trial for the trumped up crime of his really really believing the Biblical Gospel—sincerely believing that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of ALL men, foretold by the Old Testament prophets and vindicated by His resurrection from the dead. That which was typical in the way people responded to his message back then is just as typical today. When it comes to this Biblical Gospel, people are still as divided between belief and disbelief as they have ever been. Paul is here addressing a gathering of Jewish leaders in the community of Rome to inform them of who he is and why he is in chains. And that, of course, requires a clear presentation of the Gospel. As a result, “Some were converted, but others REFUSED to believe.”
The quote from Isaiah that Paul recites has never impacted me with such relevance as it does this morning. As we rehearse that quote, it’s good to bear in mind that these are technically not words authored by Isaiah, but Words authored by God and transmitted through the medium of Isaiah.
“You will keep learning, but not understanding. You will keep staring at truth but not perceiving it” (v. 26, TPT). Wow! After these 2000 years of human history since the original Good Friday and Easter stories, most people still don’t get it! They have learned enough to expand science and technology to mind-boggling levels, but most still do not understand and perceive the TRUTH and meaning of this incredible Gospel/GOOD NEWS. They opt for the deviant nonsense of Easter bunnies and Santa Clauses but find no deeper significance in these Holy Day themes.
“For your hearts are hard and insensitive to me—you must be hard of hearing! For you’ve closed your eyes so that you won’t be troubled by the truth, and you’ve covered your ears so that you won’t have to listen and be pierced by what I say. For then you would have to respond and repent, so that I could heal your hearts” (v. 27, TPT).
Occasionally we see this syndrome (“SIN-drome”) played out with a particular grandchild who will cover his head and/or cover his ears as an attempt to avoid seeing or hearing an explanation of his wrongdoing. Why in the world is confession of sin, required repentance, and being made righteous such an ugly and repulsive concept for both kids and adults that have never really grown up? Those of us who DO understand and perceive the power and absolute importance of the Biblical Gospel know the answer to that question. And that understanding generates a fireworks of explanation as to why Jesus came, died, rose, and promises ETERNAL LIFE to those who understand, perceive, and receive. It is truly a display of AMAZING GRACE without any equal.