One Saturday morning in Ukraine I walked the forest path near my village. 

I heard an enemy missile approach. There was no place to shelter. All I could do was pray for protection. The missile flew by and exploded not far distant. Another missile followed. Same result. I was safe. Thanks be to God. But the missiles did strike somewhere. I don’t know if people there escaped harm.

Enemy missiles are familiar to us in Ukraine. We experience the threat and devastating effects on regular basis. It’s terrible. May God mercifully bring it to an end soon.

But everyone, everywhere lives under threat of something worse than missiles. We all are sinners. Death and punishment are certain. 

We need a “roof.” We need somebody to protect us.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

Jesus is the only “roof” available. Our best efforts to protect ourselves from sin, death and punishment will only make us tired. It’s no protection at all. Instead, Jesus offers us love, forgiveness and eternal life…a life that begins when we trust him. A life that continues forever. That is reliable rest.

How is Jesus able to give us rest? Because he died on the cross to pay the punishment we deserved. Now “by him everyone who believes is justified from everything” (Acts 13:39). That is, God sees us as righteous if we trust Jesus. He sees us so because of what Jesus has done, not because of anything we have done. 

Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).

And, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (v. 27).

Jesus gives peace that is independent of circumstances. Jesus gives peace that lasts forever. 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Amen.