Bobservations
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
This week as I
gathered my thoughts about what to teach on Resurrection Day, I was blessed to
see something come clearly into view that I think we all take by faith, and
also take for granted:
Though we’ve
learned the story of redemption from the Gospels, and gleaned much from the Old
Testament about God’s plan of Salvation, Jesus’ life remains to be an
incomprehensible impossibility according to human understanding.
The ancient gods of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome interacted with humans, but for the most
part, they stayed either separate, or aloof from mere mortals. Jesus is unique
because He willingly became what He created (Col. 1)
His Virgin birth? Impossible. His
possession of knowledge to teach the scribes and Pharisees? Impossible. His
teachings of the same scriptures as the Pharisees, but with grace and
authority? Impossible. To heal with a simple touch? Impossible. To heal
remotely by the word of His mouth, without any touch at all. Impossible. To
feed more than 5,000 with two fish, and five loaves of bread? Impossible. To
walk on water? Impossible. To heal a withered hand, make the dumb hear, the
blind see, and the mute to speak? All impossible.
To raise the dead? Impossible. To look
beyond the cross, for the joy that lay ahead? Impossible. To go willingly to
the cross? Impossible. To dismiss His own spirit? Impossible. To raise Himself
up out of a tomb? Impossible. To raise Himself up bodily and be take into a
cloud? Impossible.
A young Virgin, Mary, thought what God had
the Angel say to her was impossible. To give birth without knowing a man?
Impossible. But from those first words of the Angel Gabriel, we read what
Matthew recorded so long ago for us: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.” (Lk. 1:37)
Jesus is the God of the impossible. If He
did all those things for the Tribes of Israel, can you imagine what He will do
for His own Church? If He did all those things for doubters, skeptics, and
non-believers, can you then imagine what He might do for you and for me? If
only we would ask!
But it sounds all the more impossible,
doesn’t it? Miracles, just for the asking…
“Hitherto
have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full.” -
John 16:24
