Leader

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you violated by hanging him on a tree," Acts 5:30.

That word came right after: We must obey God rather than men. The God-obeyers told the authorities and any who would listen: God lifted up Jesus to his own right hand, making him Leader and Savior. God make Jesus Leader and Savior? Yes, so as to give Israel repentance and forgiveness. Says who? The God-obeyers who had seen Jesus skewered, dead, and buried. Who then saw him alive and better than ever - days after they saw him dead and buried. Well, sure, with scars here and there. And, too, the Holy Spirit witnessed to the same resurrection ... whom God gives to God-obeyers.

When we meet today with a brother or sister, we recognize in each other our common Leader and Savior. And, together, we give thanks to God for the witness who gives hope of a common resurrection.