One Special Day
All over our nation, other nations, and quite possibly all over the world, many have looked forward to “One Special Day”. Some make great plans for that day. Some folks spend a great deal of time in preparation. In some cases, plans are even made regarding the attire for that day. Many look forward to connecting with the others in the family. Of course, there’s always food.
For some reason, I suspect that most are thinking that I’m speaking of the annual gatherings for birthdays, anniversaries, or perhaps some other holiday that takes place once a year. These are indeed “special” to folks as they occur on various dates and days, and the “personal” dates are specific to them. But while most of the things listed above can indeed apply to those “days”, it is most important that all understand that there is indeed “One Special Day” which God set aside. It occurs every week. That day is the Lord’s Day.
God made great plans for this special day even before the creation of the world. After creation, God brought this day about after a lot of time and additional preparation. He provided opportunities for folks and rewarded them for their obedience and fidelity. In so doing, He separated a nation for the purpose to bring His Son into the world. When Christ came as part of that nation, He set about to do His Father’s Will. In doing God’s Will, Christ too made preparation. He chose twelve apostles, trained them, promised them another Comforter for their benefit and gave them the “keys” or the authority to “open the doors” of the kingdom when the proper time came.
Christ also died on Calvary’s cross to purchase the church, and then returned to His Heavenly Father with His precious blood so that indeed a gift could be offered to all who would obey His Commandments as “handed down” by the Holy Spirit (that Comforter) by way of inspiration. The “birth” of the church, the start of the kingdom, and the Salvation of souls through obedience to the gospel all began on that “special” day.
In Genesis 3:15, God, in speaking to the serpent, foretold of the victorious Christ and the making of this day special. He told the serpent: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Here God was speaking of the Christ, entering the Hadean realm in death, overcoming the “strong man” (the devil) in rising from the dead, victorious to die no more, thus limiting Satan’s power. Christ came forth from the grave on that special day, the first day of the week per Mark 16:9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
This “special day” was prophesied in Isaiah 11:10, foretelling that Christ was to be of the lineage of David, but also that His “rest” was to be offered to all mankind. Salvation was not offered until “that Special Day”. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Again in Zechariah 2:11 we are told that Salvation in Christ wasn’t available until that Special Day. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
It is of this “special Day” which the Spirit had the psalmist pen the Words we find in Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. The “joy” and “gladness” Christians should have in this “special Day” is because per Acts 20:7, this is also the same day the Lord Commands His people (Christians) to assemble together to hear His Word, commune around the Lord’s table in remembrance of the death of Christ, and participate in worship. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Earlier, I mentioned “food” and “gift”. On that first “special day” which was on Pentecost, A.D. 33, the Spirit had Peter and the eleven offer Spiritual food for those Jewish hearers. The New Testament Word of God was the menu, including teaching the gospel plan of Salvation. In Acts 2:38, while delivering this, Peter’s sermon is recorded, and the “gift” is mentioned. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Spiritual food is the Word of God and the gift is the promise of eternal life, as 1John 2:25 reports. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
In 1Timothy 4:6 the Spirit had Paul tell Timothy how this young preacher was to be “fed” as well as how those who heard him were to learn of this great gift God has offered mankind in the New Testament age. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Every Christian should strive to be “good ministers” whether or not they occupy a pulpit.
Christians, inform everyone you can of God’s “One Special Day” that comes around fifty-two times a year. Every Sunday is that Special Day. Invite folks to services and studies and teach them God’s soul saving plan.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
