Friday, September 21, 2018
Jeremiah 20:9 His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
BURSTING WITH NEWS!
There are certain times when you can't wait to share news. It's nearly impossible to hold it in until you get home. Waiting a few seconds for someone to answer their phone can seem like hours. You can't send an email or text fast enough. You feel like you might explode if you don't get the news out.
But it has to be pretty remarkable news, doesn't it? The morning weather report or Monday's school assignment won't do it. On the other hand, a baby on the way, a major promotion, or the purchase of a new home is life-changing news which merits being shared with family and friends.
However, jobs, homes, and all the other details of life can't begin to measure up to the news God shares with the world in Holy Scripture. That God would love sinners, and not just a few, but all people is mind boggling. The message of God's Son born into the world to keep the Commandments for us and even to die on a cross in payment for all our wrongs changes everything. The assurance that "all who believe and are baptized shall be saved" provides new hope to the most desperate life. The promise of a crown of glory with the Lord in heaven gives us an awesome future to anticipate.
That is news that can't be held in. The prophet Jeremiah said, "His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot" (Jeremiah 20:9). When Peter and John were ordered not to speak any more in Jesus' name, they didn't hesitate to reply, "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).
With the eyes and ears of faith we, too, have seen and heard the Savior. We have been rescued from certain eternal death in hell. We have received full forgiveness and peace with God by His grace alone through Jesus' work in our behalf. There is nothing more that needs to be done. Our salvation is sure! How can we possibly keep quiet about it? Why would we ever want to? The news is too good to keep bottled up inside. It just has to get out to our families, friends, coworkers, and anyone else with whom we can share it, whether as individuals or together as a congregation and church body. Forgiveness and eternal life are for them too.
