An Astonishing Paradox

“You have to spend money to make money.” 

“Here are the rules: ignore all rules.”

“I know that I know nothing.”

These are paradoxes, and paradoxes are statements that catch your attention because they sound contradictory, but they end up being true. I was reading through the Bible and came upon an astonishing paradox. In Acts 3:15, Peter is speaking to the people and says, “And you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead” (ESV). Talk about an astonishing paradox! How can you kill the Author of life? It sounds impossible, yet it’s true–they did.

What’s sad about this verse is that it shows us that people often try to get rid of exactly who they need. Jesus was exactly who the people needed, but they killed him. They exchanged a murderer, Barabbas, for the Author of life, Jesus! They granted release to someone who took away life and delivered over the One who gives life.

Just like the people tried to get rid of exactly who they needed, we often act in the same way. The unbeliever denies Christ, yet he or she utterly needs Christ for life and salvation. But this can show up ever so subtly in our own lives as well. How many times are we tempted to live this life in our own power, while God’s power awaits to be used? How many times do we feel the need to be in control, when God already has control of the situation? Remember: Jesus Christ is the One you need the most. Don’t push Him away– draw near to Him!

The great news about this verse is though the people tried to get rid of Jesus, God had the final word through Christ’s resurrection. The killing of the Author of life wasn’t outside the bounds of God’s will, but was the very means of God’s triumph over sin and death. What they meant for evil, God was working for good. In fact, He was working for the good of the world. Israel thought they had put an end to Jesus of Nazareth, but God had other, grander plans in mind. They killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead! Death didn’t reign and couldn’t reign because it can never beat out the Author of life. 

Doesn’t that news give you amazing hope? This life is not the end for the one who trusts in Jesus! Because He lives, we can live. Because He was raised, if we trust in Him and His work on the cross for us, we will someday be raised. The most encouraging news possible is that God always has the final word, and the resurrection is a glowing, glaring, and glorious signpost of hope.

If God had the final word in the tomb, then He surely has the final word in your life. Look to Christ, the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. In one of the most astonishing paradoxes in history, the Life-giver gave His life and then beat death. It’s an astonishing paradox, but it’s even more amazing news.

This article was originally published in The Progress newspaper on March 28, 2024.