Faced with imperfect, messy and often distressing situations people will often say, ‘Someone should do something about that!’ Whether it’s potholes or flytipping or terrorism or war that’s what we say. ‘Someone should do something!
The Bible teaches Someone will and they’ve already begun!
The next time the Son of God visits this planet it WILL be with the most spectacular majesty.
Earthly kings of old would parade through their capitol cities on a mighty warhorse at the head of the army proclaiming their victories, displaying their defeated captive enemies.
In Revelation the Apostle John is given a privileged glimpse of his Master Jesus now risen, ascended and reigning in heaven, sharing the throne of His Father and in ch 19 coming on the clouds of heaven at the head of armies of angels.
The most impressive of human parades will pale into insignificance in comparison to the splendour of the return of King Jesus! He will come in divine glory, commanding the angelic host to finally and completely end all evil and gather His beloved people safe home.
The Lord Jesus will judge everyone who’s ever lived and will reward us according to what we have done. Those who have lived and continued defiant in sin will be condemned to suffer eternal punishment. His holiness demands no less. Scripture teaches this consistently from Genesis to Revelation.
However the Bible also reveals the heart of God to be filled with love and grace towards His fallen creation. We have observed the compassion of Christ to needy sinners like us in the Gospels, His invitation into the heavenly kingdom where there is forgiveness and healing.
In the future when Christians are given to share our Master’s resurrection there will be no more sin or curse so all that’s been broken and spoiled will be mended and restored.
Even now through Scripture Jesus calls to us, ‘Come unto me if you’re weary and burdened and you’ll find rest for your souls.’ The Lord would much prefer people to turn from sin and be saved from the coming judgement.
The Apostle Peter speaks of the Day of Judgement in his second letter and says, ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise…He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.’
So the first time Jesus rode into Jerusalem it wasn’t on a warhorse to judge. First time He came gently, in peace, riding a humble donkey. He came willing to suffer contempt and even endure a cross!
It was not without warning. With prophetic passion and righteous indignation He overturned the tables of those cashing in on the Temple and reminded the crowd of reverence for God’s house. There’s an important lesson here.
Love warns of danger. If it’s icy would I be wrong to say, ‘Be careful’? Would it offend you? Would you think I was trying to cramp your style or deny your rights? Of course not, I’m only showing concern for your safety and wellbeing.
If certain life choices are breaking God’s Laws and inviting His holy judgement is the Church wrong to challenge them? With the greatest of respect to neighbours and friends we must on occasions warn of the danger of ignoring our Maker’s guidelines. It’s actually the loving thing to do.
But let’s quickly add to that another lesson and it’s this, love sacrifices.
Love comes gently, humbly, showing compassion to those in need. It welcomes tax collectors and little children. Love opens the eyes of the blind and heals the lame so they can see and follow the Saviour. Love speaks the truth, sometimes in warning. But love also sacrifices.
The King arrives in His capitol, knowing within a week He will be rejected, mercilessly flogged and crucified. It would be an appalling atrocity of human injustice. And yet it would also be part of the divine plan. Jesus would willingly lay down his life as an offering for our sin that we might be saved from the judgement that is to come.
What must we do to be saved?
We must repent, turn from evil, stop doing what God says is wrong! And then trust like little children. In our hearts cry out to Jesus, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ Lord Jesus, Messiah, Saviour – save us! Come and be welcome in our hearts and lives. Cleanse us, renew us, lead us and help us.
And we will follow, giving Him the thanks and the praise.
The Bible teaches Someone will and they’ve already begun!
The next time the Son of God visits this planet it WILL be with the most spectacular majesty.
Earthly kings of old would parade through their capitol cities on a mighty warhorse at the head of the army proclaiming their victories, displaying their defeated captive enemies.
In Revelation the Apostle John is given a privileged glimpse of his Master Jesus now risen, ascended and reigning in heaven, sharing the throne of His Father and in ch 19 coming on the clouds of heaven at the head of armies of angels.
The most impressive of human parades will pale into insignificance in comparison to the splendour of the return of King Jesus! He will come in divine glory, commanding the angelic host to finally and completely end all evil and gather His beloved people safe home.
The Lord Jesus will judge everyone who’s ever lived and will reward us according to what we have done. Those who have lived and continued defiant in sin will be condemned to suffer eternal punishment. His holiness demands no less. Scripture teaches this consistently from Genesis to Revelation.
However the Bible also reveals the heart of God to be filled with love and grace towards His fallen creation. We have observed the compassion of Christ to needy sinners like us in the Gospels, His invitation into the heavenly kingdom where there is forgiveness and healing.
In the future when Christians are given to share our Master’s resurrection there will be no more sin or curse so all that’s been broken and spoiled will be mended and restored.
Even now through Scripture Jesus calls to us, ‘Come unto me if you’re weary and burdened and you’ll find rest for your souls.’ The Lord would much prefer people to turn from sin and be saved from the coming judgement.
The Apostle Peter speaks of the Day of Judgement in his second letter and says, ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise…He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.’
So the first time Jesus rode into Jerusalem it wasn’t on a warhorse to judge. First time He came gently, in peace, riding a humble donkey. He came willing to suffer contempt and even endure a cross!
It was not without warning. With prophetic passion and righteous indignation He overturned the tables of those cashing in on the Temple and reminded the crowd of reverence for God’s house. There’s an important lesson here.
Love warns of danger. If it’s icy would I be wrong to say, ‘Be careful’? Would it offend you? Would you think I was trying to cramp your style or deny your rights? Of course not, I’m only showing concern for your safety and wellbeing.
If certain life choices are breaking God’s Laws and inviting His holy judgement is the Church wrong to challenge them? With the greatest of respect to neighbours and friends we must on occasions warn of the danger of ignoring our Maker’s guidelines. It’s actually the loving thing to do.
But let’s quickly add to that another lesson and it’s this, love sacrifices.
Love comes gently, humbly, showing compassion to those in need. It welcomes tax collectors and little children. Love opens the eyes of the blind and heals the lame so they can see and follow the Saviour. Love speaks the truth, sometimes in warning. But love also sacrifices.
The King arrives in His capitol, knowing within a week He will be rejected, mercilessly flogged and crucified. It would be an appalling atrocity of human injustice. And yet it would also be part of the divine plan. Jesus would willingly lay down his life as an offering for our sin that we might be saved from the judgement that is to come.
What must we do to be saved?
We must repent, turn from evil, stop doing what God says is wrong! And then trust like little children. In our hearts cry out to Jesus, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ Lord Jesus, Messiah, Saviour – save us! Come and be welcome in our hearts and lives. Cleanse us, renew us, lead us and help us.
And we will follow, giving Him the thanks and the praise.
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