10/20/2024

Friends, my brother’s arm is healing and his wife returns today. Thank you for your prayers and your patience. I’ll be back in Omaha tomorrow. Bless you all this Sabbath, may you feel God’s love and share it with everyone!

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NLT). 

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Peter was a fisherman, not a teacher, but he was taught by the greatest teacher ever. While he stumbled as we all are prone to do, he repented of his sin and Jesus forgave him (John 21). When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples as Jesus promised, it was Peter who spoke boldly to the temple crowd at Pentecost (Acts 2).

As Jesus often did, Peter refers to scripture that would be familiar to the readers of his letter, specifically Isaiah 53, the prophecy of the Suffering Servant. This lesson tells us that the one who comes is on a mission from the Father, that He will be rejected and sacrificed for our sake. While I have only read it in English, no matter what translation or version it is, there is no denying that this passage points us to the saving work of Christ.

Peter’s experience can be ours as well. No matter how far we have strayed or how badly we have messed up, Jesus is always there for those who are truly sorry for their actions and sincerely ask to be reconnected to Him. He has initiated the process of salvation, it is up to us to accept His forgiveness and go to the world in His name.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have forsaken Your love and Your lessons. Mend us and send us that all may know the joy of redemption in You. Amen.

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