Scripture Verse That Caught My Attention Today: Acts 2:24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.
Observation: Very interesting use of the word “impossible.”
Application: Every once in a while I’ll find myself inspired by someone’s story of summoning up incredible gumption. It often arises from situations where people have nothing left to lose—or, ironically, when they suddenly realize that, if they don’t change, they could lose everything. It’s the football team that, down by three or four scores in the forth quarter, starts playing for pride rather than points. Or it’s captured in the spirit the mom described in that 1960’s or 70’s song with the line “the day my momma socked to the Harper Valley PTA.”
Many of us live for stories of the down and out getting back up and in the game of life. Their gumption is inspiring. But let’s face it, gumption can still only take a person so far. We all have our limits. Chief among them is death. Sheer gumption might enable us to delay it for a little while, but sheer gumption cannot overcome it. Overcoming death requires a power beyond ourselves.
So when Peter explained that it was impossible for Jesus to be held in death’s power, that was quite a pronouncement. Suddenly the ultimate foe was showing serious cracks in the armor. Granted, once death has a hold on you, there is certainly an initially tight grip. But we now trust that such a grip can only maintain its hold for so long. By faith we believe that the corresponding force, destined to bring one back to life, will prevail. Jesus couldn’t be held down by its power. Neither will we.
Prayer: Lord, I can be nothing less than grateful for your ability to do what I could never do on my own. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Exodus 14 and 16 (but not 15) and Acts 2)
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