A long, long time ago, an imperfect man was given strange instructions from God. Noah started building an ark long before the floods came. People probably made fun of him… but Noah and his family kept working. Noah also warned others. Peter called him a ‘preacher of righteousness,’ and while we have no record of his exact words or conversations, perhaps a skeptic once asked: “So Noah, if the world as we know it is one day going to end, is there any hope?”
Noah surely would have replied: “Absolutely! Turn from your wicked ways and get right with God! When destruction comes, there will be only one safe place… and you are welcome to join my family. But only if you believe and repent and come…”
No one repented. After God shut the door of the ark, it was too late to enter the safe place. The floods came and only eight people and the animals survived.
A long time ago, an imperfect man was given a message to preach in Jerusalem. People made fun of him and some accused him of being drunk. Much of his Pentecost message is recorded in Acts 2. He recounted history, quoted prophecy, and proclaimed the Messiah had come. The proof his message was true, Peter claimed, was that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. King David died, but his bones were still in the grave. Because of love, Jesus died on a Roman cross and was buried. But He rose from the dead on the third day and later, after being seen by many witnesses, ascended to join His Father.
The people heard and many were convicted. They cried: “What shall we do?” Peter answered: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39)
Perhaps Peter sometimes talked about Jesus’ prediction of the future destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The Romans fulfilled the prophecy forty years later in 70 AD as Titus surrounded the city three days before Passover. Jerusalem was destroyed and a million Jews were slaughtered. If someone had heard such grim news, he might have asked: “Is there any hope?”
The apostle surely would have answered: “Absolutely! The hope is the same Person I’ve been proclaiming! Jesus offers salvation and everything we need to live boldly in a dangerous world. He is the only safe place and the ones who overcome will be those who abide in Him. Put your faith in Jesus! He is the Way and the Truth and the Life.”
Now a fearful world asks: “Is there any hope?” Jesus answers: “Absolutely! All hope is in Me! Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Come to Me, all who are paralyzed with fear. Turn from wrong and come to Me! I have already paid the price for your sin. Redemption has been accomplished… but you must receive it. Forgiveness is only found in Me. Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, trust Me, trust My Father, receive My life and help others find God. I am the Way… no one comes to the Father except through Me. My Father loved the world so much He sent Me to save it. Hear my invitation and come!”
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7
Happy Easter!