In Bob Benson’s book See You at the House he recounts the story of a friend who had a heart attack.  At first it didn’t seem like the man would live, but eventually he would recover.  Months later, Bob asked him:

“Well, how did you like your heart attack?”

“It scared me to death, almost.”

“Would you do it again?”

“No!”

“Would you recommend it?”

“Definitely Not.”

“Does your life mean more to you now than it did before?”

“Well, yes.”

“You and Nell have always had a beautiful marriage, but are you closer now than ever?”

“Yes.”

“How about that new granddaughter?”

“Yes.  Did I show you her picture?”

“Do you have a new compassion for people – a deeper understanding and sympathy?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know the Lord in a deeper, richer fellowship than you had ever realized could be possible?”

“Yes.”

“…how’d you like your heart attack?”

I suspect that those of you who have actually suffered a heart attack or have faced a life-altering challenge can identify with this conversation.

Am I saying that I want to have a heart attack or want you to have one?  Certainly not.

But I would like for all of our hearts to be “cut.”  How so?  The same way the Jews on Pentecost were “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37).

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter and the Apostles preached about Jesus to thousands of Jews in Jerusalem where Jesus had been crucified only 50 days earlier.  Peter concluded his sermon with these words: ““Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37).  They recognized their grave sin in crucifying the Messiah.  They wanted to know, “Is there any hope for us?”

Peter gave them wonderful news:  “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41 ESV).

The knowledge that our sins put Jesus on the cross should cause our hearts to be “cut.”  The Good News is that Jesus died on the cross so that we can have forgiveness of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

So, what about your heart?  It is cut?  Won’t you accept Jesus offer on His terms?

* As quoted in “The Impact of a Heart Attack” in www.thepastorsworkshop.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org