Bethlehem Lutheran Church
The Heart of Bay Ridge
Sunday Service 10:30am
4th & Ovington Avenues
Brooklyn NY 11209
718.748.9502
Dear Members and Friends,
Acts 8:3 – But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison. Acts 9:1-2 – Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
The above description of the apostle Paul before his conversion experience is not a positive one. Without a doubt, he caused pain, suffering and even death to the early followers of the Lord. Saul/Paul was passionate about what he believed. He was bold, opinionated and zealous. He was a Pharisee who knew the Torah well. He was smart and he was a good communicator. The only problem, he was obsessed with destroying everyone who followed Jesus. What happened?
Matthew 14:29-31 – Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 16:23 – But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things. Luke 22:59-62 – Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three time.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
The above Bible passages demonstrate time and time again where Peter failed the Lord. He lacked faith. He got frightened. He was focused on earthly success. He denied that he even knew Jesus, not once, but three times. We know Peter as the great leader of the early church in Jerusalem. What happened?
What happened? Easter happened. The empty tomb happened. Jesus Christ alive happened. Jesus’ appearances happened. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection happened. Paul and Peter had encounters with the risen Lord Jesus Christ and their lives would never be the same again.
What about you? Has the Good News affected your life? Are your heart, mind and soul impacted by the Jesus story? The Easter story changed lives 2,000 years ago and the Easter story changes lives today. The angel declared, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen.” Yes, life changing news.
In the Lord's service,
Rev. Paul H. Knudsen
Pastor Paul's April Message
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ® | 4th & Ovington Avenues, Brooklyn NY 11209 | 718.748.9502
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Lenten Prayer & Reflection with Holy Communion
Every Wednesday evening at 6:00PM During Lent
