I was speaking with an older man today, just in passing. As I ended the conversation and took a step to walk away, I said, “I hope you have a happy Easter, celebrating Jesus’s victory over sin and death.” The man replied that he did not believe in God, but would only attend church this Sunday because he followed his wife when she went.
He then turned and walked away. I had wanted to continue the conversation at that point, intending to point out church attendance and proximity to God’s people does not save, but the older man had already turned and walked away.
I instantly felt sadness for this man. He had such proximity to the truth, but the soil of his heart was such that the truth could not take root (Mark 4). I immediately said a silent prayer for the man, wishing in my heart that I could say or do something to persuade him. A sudden fear gripped me that perhaps this might be his last Easter.
Yet if it was true he’d been living with a believer and been exposed to the truth each time he’d attended church with her, I began to wonder what else I could say that might change his heart. And truth be told, we can’t change anyone’s heart. it’s not our job to change hearts…it’s God’s work that changes hearts. As Christians, our job is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to share the good news that though were dead in our sin, we can find forgiveness and new life if we would simply place our faith in the death and resurrection of God’s Son. Then allow God to do the rest.
This Easter, share the gospel with someone. Who knows? (Only God knows) Maybe I will see that old man again and have another chance to share Jesus with him.
Good bless you all!
“All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.”
Isaiah 53:6, 11-12 NASB
“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:1-7)
R. S. Gullett 