Risk your neck?

Ever wonder where this common saying (“risk your neck”) came from? read your Bible. Read Romans 16:3-4 (esv) which says,

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.

People on the moveYes, the Greek behind that English translation [hypotithēmi] clearly speaks of those dear coworkers “laying down” their necks — in a vulnerable, submissive or sacrificial way. (Perhaps helping Paul during the riot in Ephesus, Acts 19?)

Are you willing to risk your neck for the cause of the Gospel? Easy to say, since there is little one could do in our land in our day that would cost you your life! But are you willing to do those intermediate-risk-level things, which God might put in your path — such as taking a stand for Christ in the workplace, and risking your job? Or speaking out in a classroom for absolute truth, and risking your popularity? Or broaching the exclusive claims of the gospel with a neighbor, and risk ending your covert-Christian status in the ‘hood?

Yes, there are plenty of ways to stick your neck out for Christ short of risking your physical life. Let’s be ready to be faithful in whatever opportunities the Lord brings us into….

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Jesus is alive and well!

15_30_47-sunrise-northumberland_webHistory points to an empty grave. The Bible declares His Resurrection from the dead!

24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Luke 24 ESV

Let us marvel still!
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