Jesus provides courage and hope
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Look! There is the Christ! (Matthew 24:23a)
I guess some who read this passage would say: yep, the end times are here! Wars! More violent storms! Earthquakes occur regularly! COVID continues to wreak havoc. Repent and be saved!
Except, that is not what this passage is talking about. It can only be understood (and through a lens darkly!) when read in context – that is, the whole chapter (if not the preceding and following chapters).
Basically, the beginning of chapter 24 is similar to the Mark passage from Sunday. Jesus talks about the temple being destroyed. Then he reassures us in verse 14 that the good news will be preached in all the world, to every nation. If we then jump to verse 36, Jesus says, ‘No-one knows the day or time. Only the Father’.
So, basically, wars, earthquakes, cyclones and COVID are all distractions, inviting us to take our eyes off Jesus and get caught up in (conspiracy) theories rather than focusing on the good news. Namely, Jesus died and rose again for us, God is in control, and we can trust in the Holy Spirit to enable and encourage us.
Even if we feel paralysed by all that is happening in the world at the moment, Jesus calls us out of that paralysis: to life, to see the Christ and to live in peace. In John 16:33, Jesus says, ‘I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world, you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world’.
Would you rather live in fear and uncertainty, with confusion and hopelessness, or is it wiser and gentler to look at Christ, allow his peace, grace and forgiveness to accompany your doubts and hand them over to him?
Jesus provides courage and hope in troubling times. Trust in him.
We thank you, Lord Jesus, that you have conquered the world. Help us rest in that knowledge, relax into your arms and be reassured by your loving embrace. Amen.
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