Characters Who Murdered the Author
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“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” Acts 3:13-15
Some versions read, “You killed the author of life, . . .”
“You killed the author of life . . .” This statement sounds absolutely absurd, just consider that statement. What does it mean to say that mere mortals killed the Author of Life? It would be like the absurdity of characters of a book jumping off the page and murdering the author or like actors in a play boldly proclaiming, while standing on a stage not their own, that they will act as they themselves wish to act and ripping up the script and then hanging the playwright.
How absurd would it be for musicians of a symphony who decide that they no longer wanted to play the notes of the written score and put the songwriter to death? And by doing so they destroy both the song and the creator of the song.
The great paradox of the Bible is that Jesus was Light and Life—and His creation killed Him. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. And yet, the creation rebelled and killed the Author of Life. The light shined in the darkness, but the darkness did not understand it. Though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him…His own did not receive Him. Instead, they killed the Author of Life!
Like characters in a book that kill the author, actors who lynch the playwright, musical instruments that kill the musician that breathes life into them. In short, the creature has killed the song, and chose to sing its own song instead. They have preferred their own ways of selfish living, materialism, pride and greed. They have indulged in their own lusts and have built their own castles and kingdoms instead of contending for the Kingdom of God. They all, like sheep, have gone astray. Each has turned to his own way. They have jumped off the stage of the Divine Will, and chosen to sing their own song and write their own play.
They have killed the Author of life.
No wonder the Gospel is the “good news!” The Acts 2:38 salvation is offered to all US murderers – wonder of wonders, grace of all grace – the One we slew becomes the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Captain of our salvation!
“Men and brethren what must we do?” was the cry of those pierced in the heart as they came to realize what great error they had committed against none other than the Author of Life. How glorious it was that THERE WAS an answer to that terrible question – not only for them but to all that will obey Acts 2:38! Thank God forevermore!
— jlg —