Acts 3:14 (Peter said to the people of Jerusalem) But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

The phrase that sticks out for me is “Author of life”. Notice it is capitalized which indicates a name or title. “Author of life” is used only once in scripture, in Acts 3:15. Looking at my bible resources it would appear there are several possible meanings of this title, two of which I find interesting.

First, the word “Author” comes from the Greek “ἀρχηγός” (archēgos) which can mean “first” as in Jesus was the first to be raised from death to life. Our Christian faith teaches us that we too shall be raised from death to life when the Lord Jesus returns.

Second, the word can mean “originator” or “source” of life. It is through Jesus that we receive eternal life now and in the age to come. Apart from Jesus was are condemned to suffer in sin and death.

In these difficult days of pandemic I’m continually reminded how much I need the Lord. There are so many unknowns, so much to do, so little time. Without faith I would surely despair. And to be honest, even with faith there are times when I get close to despair. So this morning I’m focusing on Jesus as the source, the Author, of life. It is in Jesus that I find forgiveness, mercy, grace, strength to carry on. And even on days when I feel like I’m being swallowed up by life, I know I am not alone.

Thank you Jesus for walking this difficult path with me. Amen.