by Zach Roll

The joyful news.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation'”
Mark 16:15 English Standard Version

You and I are human, which means we are born with something. Sin! It is bad news being born with a disease incurable by human efforts, especially since human efforts are what caused this disease in the first place. What a predicament!

God created Adam and Eve in His own image! They were good. The key word here is were, but not anymore. The moment Adam and Eve trusted in the lies of the serpent, rather than in the trustworthy word and promises of God, humanity, not just Adam and Eve, stood in condemnation. What a sad and somber song this is, like that annoying song that you can never seem to get out of your head. This song is playing everywhere, and at all times.

God does not leave us, instead He does the unthinkable. He sent His one and only Son to live among his creation, born of a virgin, tempted by Satan, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died, was buried, and on the third day he rose again conquering death and the devil. That death was supposed to be ours, it is ours in baptism, and we are raised again in Christ to new life in Him. For he has forgiven us our sins!

That is quite a different song from the first, a joyful song to be shared with the whole world.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO