The Good News

You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

A few years back I was in Germany visiting my sister and her family. I spent some time walking through the Altstadt (Old Town). This ancient walled city sits on the Mein River. As I walked through the cobblestone streets, I tried to imagine its history. I stood under an ancient stone archway in the city wall and imagined the Romans docking along the river’s edge, trading goods, and collecting taxes. I spent time under an 80-year-old tree planted to commemorate a visit by Chancellor Hitler in the 1930s. He gave a speech on those same cobblestones.

I wondered why they never cut down that tree. I was told that Germany keeps these reminders of evil as a warning for present and future generations. How could Germany ever forget the horror of the holocaust?  I stood in front of the Altstadt Museum. It was here that I learned the history of this place, from Roman occupation to Hitler’s visit. Graffiti on the outside wall of this museum read “HU NEGRO!” You don’t need a German translator recognize the evil scrawled on this wall.

The work of Christ is not yet finished. Though evil is always attempting to take root and grow in this world, the Church is empowered to defeat this darkness by the power and love of God in Christ Jesus. Let us be ever diligent against hate. For it presents itself not only on walls, but in social media, idle conversation, political discourse and especially in our own hearts. It is by the love and sacrifice of Christ that this dark inheritance is defeated.

See you Sunday!
Missy