The cross wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning

“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭28‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When Paul was being persecuted and could no longer preach the Gospel out and about, he retreated under house arrest to his own space that He still used to preach the Gospel. He still found a way to do what God called Him to do, even when it could’ve looked and felt like the end.

What did He preach? The kingdom. What did he teach? The things of the Lord. How did he teach them? With full confidence in Jesus. He used a space that no one could forbid him in, and he pressed on with what God had called him to do.

As we recognize today, Good Friday, at first glance, this passage seems to have nothing to do with the crucifixion. But upon further look, we see it has everything to do with Jesus’ sacrifice.

Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we even have something to talk about. We even have something to recognize today because we have a savior who gave it all. Paul didn’t preach and teach about himself - he preached Jesus.

The cross wasn’t the ending - it was the beginning of a movement to reclaim souls for the kingdom of God. What seemed like death and loss actually was the beginning. This was the beginning of the Holy Spirit abiding in and with us here on earth. It was the tearing of the veil and making a way for all of us to have direct access to Jesus. It was the paving of the way for us to now be filled with power and do ever greater works than Him. It was only the beginning.

Jesus showed us that we can move through suffering and persecution and continue on with the call of God on our lives. Paul learned from the greatest example of how to press on even in suffering and when the circumstances just aren’t quite perfect.

Paul picked up the message. He didn’t allow Jesus’ life and death to be the end. And we have a mandate to continue to further the Gospel as well.

Today, what in your life has seemed like the end? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to shift your perspective to see that it might actually just be the beginning? With Jesus, nothing, even death, is the end. It’s only the beginning.

Holy Spirit, help me today to see new beginnings by the Spirit out of things that have seemed like the end. Thank You Jesus for this day, a day we recognize as the darkest day in history, while still having the hope of knowing the third day was coming. How grateful are we for the resurrection! Thank You for the ultimate sacrifice, for taking my place and making a way for me to live in freedom, healing and wholeness. Thank You God for being a good Father and sparing not even Your own Son for my salvation. May the glory of this day be revealed to me even greater today as I meditate on Your Word. How we love You. Thank You. In Jesus Name, amen.

-R 🖤