Protesters against Death

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!...For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:20–21, 23

When it comes to death, we are not dealing with just a sick organism. Human skills can help here or there, and it is our task to do the best we can, as a gardener does his utmost to ensure that his plants are not destroyed. But people who think no further than this do not understand sickness or death. Sickness is part of the work of death, and death is ultimately a consequence of sin.

Like a Child

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:7–11

Some people, including Christians, believe that we have no need for miracles. But then we might as well forgo the kingdom of God altogether. If God can no longer prevail on this earth, if God no longer has any power in our daily lives, if the only thing that counts is our own knowledge and effort, then we may as well forget about the kingdom of God.

He Forgives

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”…So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. Matthew 9:1–8

The fact that Jesus healed the paralyzed man with a mere word should convince us that he also has the authority to forgive sins. He who is able to heal, forgives. This is why Jesus’ miracles are both unique and significant.

The Lord Is Good

Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever. Jeremiah 33:11

It would be very small-minded of us to think that God stood alone and all by himself, aloof from the billions upon billions of human souls here on earth. He is the Lord Almighty, the Lord of hosts. He commands great regiments and sends forth his servants to help us. He can call one to himself and say, “You go to such and such a person,” and to another, “You go to that one,” and so forth. He has servants for each of us – however many he needs, there are more than sufficient. He has servants enough so he can arrange everything to gain the great victory.