Mark 13:24-37
‘But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’
Reflection
So many things change and become different. So many things to watch for and to take caution. So many signs to make each of us aware of something in the present and the future.
Even the mundane things in life such as driving. We look in the mirrors to watch the drivers around, beside and behind. We look to our "blind" spot and are wary of what may be hidden. We watch through the windshield for signs of something that may happen and cause us to take immediate action. So many things change and become different, even as we drive along the road.
Likewise in life, so many things change our plans and our goals. Things change and we need to take different directions. Perhaps a loss of work causes us to switch careers. A loss of a loved one changes our thoughts for a lifetime. Even direction from God through changes in life, perhaps may cause us to get up and go much like Abram got up and left his home to journey to where God had chosen to lead. So many things change and become different, even as we live our lives in the here and now.
I think the passage of scripture above is Jesus speaking to us about change. Huge change and small change and all change perhaps. A preparation that things will change in this world and not only in this world but within each one of us. Jesus is coming. What? I'm sure some would say that Jesus is here! Even the disciples and followers of the day would have probably thought that all the coming business was over. Jesus was with them... Jesus was there!
But I think that even with Jesus here physically... he may well be also coming too. Jesus is coming all in the midst of change. A change in my heart and in your heart. Jesus is coming in a change in my soul and your soul. Jesus is coming into the midst of my life and your life. Jesus is surely coming. We need to look in the mirrors. We need to look through the windshield. We need to look for the signs and be ready. Jesus is coming to the world and to creation and to you and to me. Yes, Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming and will have an eternal impact on all of us. Jesus is coming, has come and will come again. Jesus is coming personally and corporately and for all creation. Yes! Jesus is coming!
The one thing that doesn't change that makes this statement of Jesus, without a doubt, the Truth, is just a few words in the passage above.
"Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
Here Jesus tells us of the change. Here Jesus tells us what won't change. Jesus words... the Word of God... will not change. Everything else may change. We won't know the time or the hour but we will know the Truth. The Truth in the Word made flesh in Jesus. We can rest assured and plan for Jesus' coming.
Yes, Jesus is coming! Don't fear! Jesus is coming! Coming to you to lead you and guide you and teach you and heal you and save you from your sinful self. Jesus is coming to save you from sin, death and the devil. Jesus is coming to you and to all the people.
I look forward to Jesus' coming to me and for all. I look to the clouds. I look to the mirrors. I look through the windshield of life all around and wait in hopeful and excited anticipation for Jesus to come. Jesus word will not change... but everything else surely will!
But for now... we watch in joy... we listen and hear the call... we use the gifts God has graciously given us... we change into what God would have us be for here and now... and... we wait for Jesus to come!
In joy... in hope... in great anticipation... I look daily, hourly and each minute for Jesus to come!
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Video/Music
Peace be to you and grace from Him
Who freed us from our sin Who loved us all, and shed his blood
That we might saved be.
Sing holy, holy to our Lord
The Lord almighty God Who was and is, and is to come
Sing holy, holy Lord.
Rejoice in heaven,
all ye that dwell therein
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below
For Christ is coming,
Is coming soon
For Christ is coming soon.
E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come
And night shall be no more
They need no light, no lamp, nor sun
For Christ will be their All!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCut48BRwEs
Prayer
Lord, your words will not pass away! Use me to do your will as I wait in hopefulness for your coming... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment