Life Matters - April 3, 2024
Like on that Passover Friday of long ago, Jesus doesn’t always seem to be winning, but He is. He is Life. He is the Power of God, the Word of God, He is God, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. He came from God, was sent from God, God’s Word became flesh when Jesus was born a baby, God incarnate, God’s only begotten Son, and the son of Mary. He was faithful to His earthly parents though doctors of law marveled at His wisdom. He turned water into wine, He healed the sick, the dead were raised to life again, the dumb spake, the blind saw, devils were cast out, the storm stilled, the wind calmed, and the sea came to rest.
Jesus had no place here to call His home, no place to lay His head, no place to be his own, no certain dwelling place. The praise of men did not flatter Him, nor adoration draw Him into factions. He did not waver at the testings of men nor falter when they hated Him. He surrendered to God before they falsely accused, tried, condemned, and crucified him, in perfect timing to be our once for all Passover Lamb.
During the death of His body He preached to the spirits in prison, until, in perfect timing with prophecy, His own spirit returned to His body and He rose again! Patiently He unwound the graveclothes, He removed the napkin from His head, folded it…thoughtfully He laid it next to His clothes, by itself. What were His thoughts? Someday He may tell us all about it. For now we can only imagine. Perhaps He was acclimating, debriefing, perhaps He was quietly reflecting, rejoicing at the deliverance of those faithful, those repentant, who had died waiting for the coming of the Just One, Himself. Imagine the relief, the joy coursing through Him with the realization of a Job Well Done! It is finished! And having just come from witnessing the initial fruit of that finished work!
His rising has been witnessed to by marvelling women, astounded disciples, preaching apostles, by sinners set free—delivered from sin bondages—given a new and fresh lease on life. Witnessed to by churches, by organizations, by institutions built for the purpose of retaining His teachings. Institutions, organizations, and churches may rise and fall but the saints keep marching in—His kingdom advances. Retreat is not an option. Jesus is King of kings, He is Lord of lords, our great High Priest, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, forever ruling from the throne of David. There is a great cloud of witnesses and that cloud keeps growing. One by one. Individual by individual. It cannot be otherwise, given the personal nature of restored relationship with the God of the universe. Relationship initially lost in the garden of Eden, but now restored by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He rose again! He ascended to Heaven! He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God the Father, He is interceding for us! Our names are being brought before God! Our Father in Heaven! We are not forgotten! We may be cast down, but we are not forsaken! He is the source of true courage. He will set all things right. Whatever we may endure here for His name’s sake is ok, He will make it right for all those who love His appearing.
Thousands were converted in the first days of the church. God had personal time for each one. And does still. The great cloud of witnesses keeps on expanding. Earthly governments, kingdoms, rise and fall, they wax strong, they wane. They come and they go—leaders come and go—but our God reigns forever. Through Jesus Christ His Spirit is here, convicting, convincing, comforting. We may get weary but He is, and will be, our strength, our wisdom, our present and final redemption. He is our peace. While the world changes, He does not.
Is the American way of governing still redeemable? As I know the goodness of God, I say, absolutely! As I know the severity of God, I say, it will take a deep and widespread repentance, as God says in Romans 11:22 ‘’Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.’’
When the church of Jesus Christ continues in God’s goodness, there is hope. For this life, though we may suffer, but especially, for eternity. Let us individually and together be, and stay, on the winning side. May our faith not be shaken when earthly kingdoms rise nor when they fail. Though this world may shake, The Rock never does. When people and their institutions let us down may it only serve to strengthen and deepen our faith. No matter what happens, Jesus Lives!
Life Matters!