In the last Sundays of the Church year, we often consider the end-times and the return of Jesus. This Sunday we will commence a 3-week series: Infused with Hope.
In the Apostles’ Creed we say of Jesus: “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
And in the Nicene Creed: “He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom will have no end.”
I wonder how often you and I...
In the last Sundays of the Church year, we often consider the end-times and the return of Jesus. This Sunday we will commence a 3-week series: Infused with Hope.
In the Apostles’ Creed we say of Jesus: “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
And in the Nicene Creed: “He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom will have no end.”
I wonder how often you and I reflected on these things? How about asking friends and/or family members what they think and feel about this? You might be surprised where the conversation leads.
History is not coming to a dead end, but with the return of Jesus as Lord and judge of all. For all believers, this is Good News indeed. At the return of Jesus, chaos and evil be vanquished, justice will be administered, and all believers will inherit eternal life in the glorious kingdom of God. I wonder: How do you picture that reality?
Between now and then, there is still much kingdom work to be done: listening to people’s stories, sharing the kindness of Jesus, praying for opportunities to share the difference Jesus has made in our lives, passing on the faith to the next generations, and bringing the presence of Jesus into each encounter.
Yes, at times we will carry burdens, reminding us that we are still caught up in the brokenness of this fallen world. Jesus knows how that feels from first-hand experience. He has entered the depths of our suffering so he can ultimately free us from it.
Where this is life there is hope. And where there is hope there is life. No matter what trials or suffering we experience, hope of “better things to come” enables us to endure.
I suspect that many loud voices in our culture rob us of hope and fill us with despair. If we keep listening to bad news stories in the world, along with the doomsday preppers and conspiracy theorists, we will end up paralysed with fear… and in dread of the future.
Whose voice do we listen to? Who can we trust to tell us the truth?
Whenever we are feeling hopeless or helpless, it’s helpful to ask: “What does Jesus say about this? What does he tell us about the end times?”
Believers keep listening to the words and promises of Jesus. Secure in his love and truth, we can avoid being deceived by human speculations; or by temptations of strategies of the evil one. Through God’s Spirit, Word, and Church, we can be infused with hope in Jesus.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
