There Is No Other

"then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:10,12

That's what struck me about this verse today. "Salvation is found in no one else." As young people today are encouraged to find their own paths, a lot of times that leads to an exploration of other religions. A year ago or so our small group spent some time looking at other cultures and the other religions around the world. What we found is is that all the other religions out there have a "path" to follow, but no guarantee. There is no other religion that guarantees salvation by accepting the gift that Jesus gave to us. This verse in Acts points that out, that there is no other name in the heavens that can save us.

It is through Jesus Christ alone that we may have eternal life. This next week is Easter week... I never really know how to celebrate Easter. Christmas comes easy, it's a time of great joy. Easter should be an even greater time of joy- Christ died so that we might live! He rose from the dead! What could be more exciting than that! Yet so often the Easter focus is on the solemnity of the occasion, and I'm just not sure that is totally warranted. Absolutely we should take the time to reflect on the amazing sacrifice made on our behalf, but should it be somber? I think not, I think the time of reflection can be based on joy, based on being grateful for the gift of life, not regretful because it was necessary.

I'm looking forward to the week ahead.