Shade Tree wisdom 3/27/11

The concluding hymn for worship this morning contained this verse.
“My sin, Oh,the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.”

Worship during these days of Lent reminds us how this happens. And that is one reason St. Peter wrote his letters to “God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered. . .who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling of His blood..” 1 Peter 1,1.2.

I try to picture the scene. St. Peter is old, and tired. He writes that “I will soon put it aside as my Lord Jesus Christ had made clear to me.” 2 Peter 1,14. The work of the day is done. He has spent it in prayer, in guiding, and doing all the tasks that are called for as he serves as “The shepherd and bishop of their souls”.

His mind is filled with many things. He recalls the first Pentecost when he had explained the plan of God, and saw 3,000 believers. He remembers Dorcas. Why, the cloak that keeps him warm was a gift from her. And the terrible scene with Ananias and Saphira who had “lied to the Holy Ghost”. Or the scene at the temple when he had no silver or gold to give, but could, and did, say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk”. Acts 3,6.

And Cornelius from Caesarea, the Gentile who sent for Peter and he came, spoke the gospel, and baptized these Gentiles. The Church wanted an explanation, and agreed it was the Lord’s doing, for the Holy Spirit had accompanied the preaching there too, because all now understood that “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” Acts 11,18. So John’s teaching became clear. That “God so loved the world, that He sent His Only begotten Son,,. That whosoever believes in Him shall be saved.” John 3,16.

All this is in his mind as he writes, led by the Holy Spirit. We can just feel his heart, filled with hope to strengthen them against the time of their coming testing. So he ends the letter with this plea. “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3,18.

I only add to this, read the letters, carefully, stop now and then to meditate, and may the Lord bring wisdom and strength for your faith growth. For then indeed, “It is well, it is well with my soul”.

GPD 3/27/11