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Monday, April 21, 2014

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Easter Week


Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Matthew 28:8-15

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lies for sale

"They, in turn, convened with the elders and worked out their strategy, giving the soldiers a large bribe with the instructions: 'You are to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were asleep." ' " —Matthew 28:12-13

Satan could not stop Jesus from rising from the dead. He cannot chain the Word of God (2 Tm 2:9). However, he has been able to stop many people from believing in the risen Lord and from being witnesses for Him. Satan, the father of lies (Jn 8:44), has done this by purchasing lies, that is, by bribery. When he tried to do this with Jesus, Jesus threw him out (Mt 4:9-10). However, Satan has been more successful with Jesus' followers. Satan purchased at a bargain price Judas' lying kiss by which Judas handed God over for crucifixion (Mt 26:14-15). Satan also bought a whole pack of lies from the soldiers at Jesus' tomb. They pocketed the money and then lied about Jesus' resurrection (Mt 28:15). Throughout history, Satan keeps buying lies and marching out his flunkies to deny Jesus' resurrection. Isn't that what we see in our "culture of death"?

However, there have always been a few people who won't be bought — people who will witness for the risen Christ at any cost. What's your price? Can you be bought? If so, Satan will buy you, your lies, your silence, and your soul. Be willing to give up anything and everything to be a witness for the risen Christ.

Prayer:  Father, I serve You, not money (Mt 6:24).

Promise:  "Do not be afraid! Go and carry the news." —Mt 28:10

Praise:  Alleluia! Jesus is risen. He is alive! He lives forever!

Reference:  (Read the Bible daily. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each book of the Bible is thirty-two audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or seventeen video tapes starting with V-21.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 30, 2013

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