Light On Wednesday

 

with Major Isaiah Motsi 

Gaborone, Botswana 

THE SAME JESUS THE SAME GOSPEL

"This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate's decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer."  (Acts 8:13b-14)

By rejecting Jesus, handing him over to Pilate and condemning him to death, the world showed how it was willing to live without the influence of Jesus Christ. One thing they forgot was that the world and everything in it belongs to Jesus' father, and so it is Jesus'.  Peter stood up, with his gun fully loaded, and fired live bullets in defense of his master. His battalion was made up of only the twelve disciples, and some few women, yet he stood firm and fearless for the truth that he knew. 

Peter's message was loud and clear; "The Jesus you killed had risen from the dead and is alive." 

He is the one who had given them the power to do all that they were doing. Peter preached the love of Jesus.

Jesus did not come back with any scores to settle against those who had opposed him to death. He actually came looking for those whose hearts had remained hard. Peter wanted them to be saved. Note that, as Peter preached to them about the Jesus they had killed, they eventually sought for his head also. 

Peter was not deterred but kept on preaching, "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah." (Acts 3:19-20)

Peter was simply introducing to them, the same Jesus whom they had rejected and killed. No other saviour appointed but that same Jesus. Jesus has no substitute and so is his word. Peter did not preach a different message to different people. It was the same message and, to the same people and, for the same reason. They needed to repent and be saved. The message stands today, it does not change. Anyone who wants to be called by Jesus' name must repent and be saved. He is the same Jesus once rejected, who waits to save you. Indeed, he loves you more than you can comprehend. He will save you. Amen

isiah.motsi@zim.salvationarmy.org

+26773751187