Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:21.

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

So often I’m filled with fear about my physical future. My mom died at 35 because of heart issues. My dad died at 49 because of pancreatic cancer. My father-in-law died at about 60 because of mesothelioma. With that kind of stuff going on around me I can easily begin to think, I’m next. My body can be easily ravaged by disease. Within the past two months, I’ve heard of two young people, children of brethren I know killed in car wrecks. As a friend of mine says, we are only seperated from death by a thin yellow line.

But Paul says I have no need to fear. Why? Because I won’t die? No. Because if this earthly tent is destroyed, I have a much better house prepared for me. No, this isn’t talking about a mansion over the hilltop in heaven (a scripturally suspect idea). This is talking about the body God has prepared for my eternity. I don’t fully understand what it is going to be. But I do get that what I have now is only a tent, but what I’ll have then is a house, a heavenly dwelling.

Sure, there are things that bother me about dying, like no more time with my family. But I look forward to eternity with them. What is there to fear, I have a house to look forward to once this tent is destroyed.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

I can hardly fathom how it happened. The Jewish crowd had two men in front of them. One of those men had really and truly been involved in rebellion and insurrection. One had actually killed people. The other one had preached a message of peace and submission to others. One had brought people back to life. Just days earlier these very same crowds had been proclaiming this miracle worker was the descendent of David. He had never done anything worthy of death and even Pilate realized that.

Pilate gave the crowd an option. He could release Barabbas, the insurrectionist and murderer, or he could release Jesus, the man they had praised just days earlier. The other one would be delivered for a torturous death by crucifixion. How on earth could the crowds ever be stirred up to release Barabbas and pick Jesus to be crucified? How could they look at Jesus, a man who had taught in their synagogues, who had healed their sick, cast out demons, raised the dead and in so many other ways demonstrated Himself to be the Messiah for whom they looked, and pick Him to die. Nevertheless, that was the choice they made.

I can hardly fathom how it happened. God had two men in front of Him. One of those men had really and truly been involved in rebellion and sin. He had lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, committed immorality, coveted and pursued his own arrogant path of self-service in many other ways. The wages of his sins were death. The other one only ever lived to please the Father. He submitted and obeyed. He had never done anything worthy of death and God realized that.

But, God had an option. He could free and give life to me, the sinner and rebel, or He could leave Jesus alone. The other one would be delivered to a torturous spiritual death of separation from the Father. How in heaven could God ever be stirred to set me free by picking His only begotten Son, Jesus, for death? How could God look at Jesus, a Son who had only ever faithfully served Him, and put Him on the cross and then turn His face from Him? 

The crowds made their choice because of selfish envy. God made His choice because of selfless love. I have always been intrigued by the fact that Barabbas’ name means “son of the Father.” Because of Jesus’ death, I am now a son of the Father. I do not know how the Father, Son and Spirit could have so much love to let Jesus take my place. I just know I’m glad God did.

I don’t know how Barabbas turned out. Was he changed by this experience? Or did he simply go back and plot more rebellion? I can’t answer how Barabbas responded. I can only determine how I will respond. God put Jesus on the cross where I should be. Will I just keep on sinning and rebelling, spurning the sacrifice God offered for me? Or will I strive to become like Jesus who sacrificed Himself for me?

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC