Revelation 2:8-11 (NRSV)
Be faithful until death
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:
"I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.
Reflection
Be faithful until death. Persecution, suffering, illness, sin and then death. But there is a huge ray of hope in this passage. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. A ray of hope to those who listen to what the Spirit is saying.
As we live this life, either short or long, we are blessed with the lives of others that God graciously gives to us. As we live this life, sometimes in pain, other times in joy, we are surrounded by the lives of many that have come and gone and are present with us. We live in relationship with all of these lives. Lives here now and lives past and lives still to come. We are in some kind of bond of relationship.
In this relationship we have built, all of our lives are tied together to one common and huge ray of hope. That ray of hope that we listen to intently to hear what the Spirit is saying. God sent Jesus to tie that ray of hope back to him. God gave us the final relationship that wraps that ray of hope to us and amongst us and right back to God.
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. The crown of life freely given through and because of that Ray of hope, Jesus Christ the Savior. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, keep us faithful and ears open to see and receive your Ray of hope. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment