A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers  

Ephesians 2:13, “But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” During a World War II battle, a soldier died and two of his friends desperately wanted to give him a decent burial. They found a cemetery in a nearby French village. It happened to be a Roman Catholic cemetery, but the dead man had been a Protestant. When the two friends found the priest in charge of the burial grounds, they requested permission to bury their friend, but the priest declined because the man had not been a Roman Catholic. When the priest saw their disappointment, he explained that they could bury their friend outside the fence. This was done. Later, they returned to visit the grave but couldn’t find it. Their search led them back to the priest, and, of course, they asked him what had happened to the grave. The priest told them that during the night he was unable to sleep because he had made them bury their friend outside the fence. So he got up and moved the cemetery fence to include the dead soldier. In Christ Jesus, God “moved the fence.” Notice our Scripture lesson today. The Apostle Paul reminds us that once we were far removed from fellowship with God. In this same chapter, in verse 12, he calls us “aliens,” “strangers,” “having no hope, and without God in the world.” What a sad state. But with a cross, three nails and infinite love, Jesus Christ included all who had been excluded. Now, “whosoever will” are included in the family of God. Like the compassionate priest in our story today, God in His grace and mercy “moved the fence” to leave no one out. Listen friend, no matter what your past may be, no matter what mistakes you have made—for we all have made our share—the blood of Jesus Christ has brought peace and reconciliation between sinful man and a holy God. If you’ve been rejected by the world, never fear, through Christ, God accepts us all into His glorious kingdom, with each new day.