Revelation 21:1-6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Reflection
Some day... some where... things are very different. That tumultuous sea will be no more. Reminds me of the waters in the first chapter of Genesis. The basis for creation over which darkness covered the face of the waters. The deep deep waters and then God brought on the light. Or may it be Light, as in the Light of Christ?
I have heard some refer to the sea in Revelation as evil. So in the end, evil is no more. The Light overcomes all evil. Those dark, deep waters are gone and the Light of God shines brightly in this new city. In this city God dwells with his people. God cares for and loves all of his people in the grace of his presence with us. How we long for this to be true.
In some sense we have started this journey. God has given his presence in flesh in the form of Jesus. God has given his presence in spirit in the form of the Holy Spirit. We have begun this journey here and now. But, oh, the hope of what is to come. It is this hope we live our lives day by day. We know God has given us a purpose to live this life together. We are called to proclaim God's saving grace to all the world in the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. God offers life to all people and we are called to proclaim the glory of this gift given.
A gift of life in the presence of God. Life... not death... not tears... not crying... not thirsting for something else. God calls us to life! Right over that gurgling sea of evil present in this world this day; God calls us to life. And we live to God's glory in love for God and one another. We live in many ways and many forms.
So, we thirst for God and God quenches that thirst forever. God quenches that thirst with pure, clean, wonderful water of love and life.
Prayer
Lord, I sin. Forgive my sin. Even over the waters of evil, I know of your call to life. Life each morning in the grace of the life of Jesus. Flesh and spirit have come to this earth in Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Use each of your children to live the life you have called for each to live. May we proclaim clearly, boldly and to all the world the life you give... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment