I got up early today, I didn't want to miss any time I have left today. Well not exactly! I was thinking some of you may be wondering about this last day or Judgement Day as Rev. Harold Camping has declared. I apologize in advance if this post seems a little cynical.
In Matthew 25, Jesus was asked about the end of time. His answer was that he did not know, no one would know, only the Father in heaven would know. If Jesus himself doesn't know, that's pretty good for me. We don't know.
The Bible is full of ideas about what would bring the end of the earth, and we have several of those going on now, to make it look like it could be the end of the world. Wars, famine, earthquakes, floods, and lots of other troubles are all mentioned, so we could be paying special attention.
We should be paying attention. None of us know the end of the world. And more importantly, the end of our own lives. That's more important, that we are ready for our life to end, perhaps in a surprise, so that we are prepared to meet Jesus. That preparation is very simple, and a gift from God because God loves us so much. None of us qualify for heaven on our own. All have fallen short, according to St. Paul. But out of God's love and Grace, we are given a gift, to accept or not, of forgiveness which comes with eternal life in heaven. Jesus took care of the penalty for our sins with his death on the cross. We have been forgiven. The resurrection was God's way of saying all is forgiven, and it really was what Jesus said would happen. The resurrection was God's stamp of approval on Jesus and his work on the cross, and to help draw attention to Jesus, who really is God's Son.
So our mission, should we decide to accept it, is to ask Jesus to cover our missing the target. To thank Jesus specifically for that gift, and to live from this moment on, in that forgiven and grateful state. Our actions, should they be our last, should reflect our gratitude and our determination to live as a follower of Jesus. Then no matter what happens to us, or the world, we are going to Heaven.
The second coming for most of us, is when we die. For some it will be suddenly and without warning. I was driving to church early Sunday morning this week and had to be detoured. Rt. 108 was closed for a traffic accident investigation. A car ran off the road hit a telephone poll and then a tree, killing three out of the five in the car. They were 18 and in their twenties. No one knows when the time comes, we all need to be ready.
We can spend a lot of time wondering about the hints to when the whole world will end, or we can spend a lot of time, trying to make the world a better place. We need divine guidance for that challenge, and that only comes with prayer, devotion, study of Scripture to know what to do, and time with other friends in worship, service, support through a body/group/church of other believers. We can make a difference for someone else's second coming if we are constant, and authentic, in showing God's love to others, and encouraging them to find the same love and hope we have.
I am confident, that I will see you tomorrow at church. I'm sure that we will have a lot to talk about too.
Blessings on your pilgrimage, your journey of faith, your challenges in finding the way God is leading you, so that you won't be left behind. We can all be ready!
I remember the advice doctor's give expectant mothers. The baby will come when the baby will come. The due date/judgment day is just an educated guess. Plan something fun for your day, just in case nothing happens. Let's party and celebrate that God's love is always with us.
Pastor Jeff
No comments:
Post a Comment