Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, amazing grace.
These lyrics are found in one of my favorite contemporary Christian songs. They are found in an updated version of the song we all know, Amazing Grace. God’s grace is surely amazing. For he so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son to save and set us free. Though we do not live in the Apostolic age there still are prisons that hold Christians because of their beliefs. Even still we put ourselves into prisons of our own making.
Today’s reading from Acts details the preaching of the Apostles in the Temple. No longer locked in the upper room they had gotten over their fear. On the other hand the fear in the Sanhedrin was growing, as the members of their own faith were beginning to join this band of believers we now call Christianity. Their fear drove them to jail the apostles. In a miraculous turn of events the believers were set free by the spirit. Their freedom won by God they returned to preaching the good news in the temple. What fears prevent us being fully being a disciple?
We know that for those who believe their salvation has been won. We know that for those who choose not to believe condemnation exists. Still that is not what the Lord desires. He wants to make us all of one Body, one Spirit, in Christ. Yet what holds us back? Does some sin or fear imprison us? What could we do to better trust that the Lord has already paid the price, already set us free?
The apostles were fully aware of what had just happened to their friend. They knew the cost of discipleship might be their life. Are we willing to accept that cost? A true life in the Spirit of the Lord calls for nothing less than the willingness to give it all for the sake of Gospel. And we if truly believe and our chains are gone, then we must step out in faith.
"Lord help us this day to give ourselves fully to a life of discipleship. May words of praise ever be in our mouths so that our lives are filled joy that is radiant. Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love, so that through us, You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen! Alleluia!"
-Michael Montgomery