The Boston anniversary

The Boston anniversary 

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,  and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve."  1 Corinthians 15:3-5

"Love always wins. I believe that because I believe that God is love, and I believe that God's love is ultimately impossible to resist. Love wins when we refuse to stop seeing it. And I refuse to stop seeing it. No matter what we learn about the who or the why of what happened today, I choose to believe that in the end "perfect love casts out fear." In our hearts. In our minds. And on that one city block in the heart of Boston."-Rev. Emily C. Heath on April 15, 2013

I was reading an article today published by the Washington Post titled,  "Boston Marathon anniversary:  A chance to move on from last year." The article went on to talk about the attack and the mementos and tributes left for the people injured and killed in last year's bombing.  Some placards, it said, were emblazoned with the slogan that 8-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed in the attack, had penned in 2012 while studying nonviolence in second grade.  

"No more hurting people.  Peace," they read.  Alison Beliveau, 25, of South Boston said, "It'll be sad, but its' something that has brought us closer together  It's strong.  It's unifying."  On this first anniversary of the bombing, people in Boston and around the world will gather to remember, to mourn and to unite.   And, I hope, to pray.

As I run the Boston Marathon this year, my prayer will be that we remember the greatest anniversary in history.  The day Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead to forgive us of our sins.  Easter!   Of the last sayings of Jesus on the cross, none is more important than when he uttered, "It is finished".  John 19:30. Translated in Greek, "it is finished", is istetelestai, an accounting term that means, "paid in full."  With these words, Jesus wiped away our debt-the debt of sin.  He paid our debt in full!!!  Isn't that an anniversary worth celebrating?

Heavenly Father, thank you for dying on the cross to save us from our sins.  Thank you for conquering death to pay our debt in full that we may live a life free from the debt of sin.  Let there be "peace" in Boston this year as I pray we turn to you.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.  

Happy Running!!!