April 5, 2004


"Conduct yourselves
with wisdom toward outsiders,
making the most of the opportunity.
(Col 4:5)

Today, we begin the Easter week together. For months, we have anticipated this week and the services we will share together during the upcoming weekend. This is an "opportunity" that we cannot ignore.

In the New Testament, there are different words used to describe "time." One word, "chronos", simply speaks of the sequence and duration of time. From it, we get our word "chronology."

This week we celebrate something that had a clear chronology. It happened at a point in time. The coming of the Christ turned the calendar in a new direction. History not only records His perfect life, but history records His death and resurrection.

History also records the transformation of His disciples! At a moment in time something happened to those fearful, uneducated men. It impacted them so much that they turned the world upside down! (See Acts 17:6.)

What happened? They met the risen Christ. They understood why He died and how forgiveness came through His cross.

We too have met the risen Christ. It's time for us to be bold and turn our world upside down!

The word used in this verse speaks of a special kind of time (kairos)-an appropriate time or season; an opportunity. This week, we have a moment that we must not ignore. We have to buy it up. We must make the most of it. Let's ask God to give us wisdom and boldness…to make the most of the opportunity!

Father,
We thank You that Jesus came to earth at an appointed moment in time. We thank You that He paid for our sin on the cross and was raised from the dead…at a moment in time.

Give us wisdom this week. Help us to speak a word of witness toward those who need a relationship with You. We want to make the most of the moment!

We pray this together, in Jesus' Name, Amen