Gifts From God: Devotions From Time of GraceНамуна

The Gift of God Himself: The Savior’s completed work

On the face of it, it might not seem as though Jesus Christ finished his job. On the face of it, it looks as though Satan is winning. People’s lives, and your life, are hurt by cruelty, crime, and disease. Violence is everywhere. Marriages are collapsing. Children are abused by people they trusted. People and nations hate one another.

Jesus died. Again--that looks like defeat. But he rose again. And his resurrection guarantees his complete, unconditional victory over sin, death, hell, and Satan. One Sunday afternoon St. John heard the voice of the risen and triumphant Savior: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades [i.e., hell]” (Revelation 1:17,18). Jesus Christ gives you the gift of certainty, of a job completed. Your sins have been forgiven, your grave is now just a bed for a short nap, and your name has already been lettered on the door to your heavenly home.