Today’s Scripture

Psalm 130       Isaiah 51:4-6   Jude 20-25      Mark 13:32-37

 

            There are a couple of clock stories to tell:

 

1:         A teacher placed a sign on the classroom clock, “Time Passes.  Will You?”

2.         A pastor placed his watch on the pulpit at the beginning of the sermon.  A youngster asked his father, “What does that mean?”  The father replied, “Nothing.”

 

            Time flies, doesn’t it?  We wait in such anticipation for different things in our lives, and then they happen and are over.  Still, the anticipation for things to happen is so great as youngsters ask incessantly, “Are we there yet?” 

 

            Sometimes we do not have a calendar or clock to mark when something will happen.  Like having babies, we do not know exactly what day and time that child will make the final move.  During storm season we do not know if, when and where a tornado will occur.  Sometimes it is awaiting a package or news about someone or something, we know it is coming but not for sure when.  How anxious one is watching the driveway and listening for the doorbell to ring.

 

            Today is the Last Sunday of the Church Year, the Sunday of the Fulfillment.  It is fitting that today we review what the last moment on this earth is when God fulfills his promise to all believers.  In the suspense of waiting for that moment, Jesus calls on the disciples in our Gospel, and all believers including you to a life of faith in the expectation of his certain return.

 

            Many in this world call that day, “Doom’s Day.”  That is true.  It will be a day of doom for all things created.  It is sadly true for all who reject Christ Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man.  In rejecting Jesus they reject the Father.  It certainly will be a “Doom’s Day” for all eternity for them

 

            On the other hand it is a day of great rejoicing in what all believers have and hold even today.  We have hope, that is confidence in the good and marvelous miracle that God will deliver to all believers on that day.

 

            Psalm 130 begins, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.”  Knowing our sinfulness and trusting God’s love in Jesus Christ, we cry out from our sinful, lost and helpless condition.  We know and trust verse 4, “But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.”  That fear is to revere and stand in awe of God who does forgive all sins and does destroy death for those who trust in him.  (Awe:  a mixed feeling of reverence, fear, and wonder, caused by something majestic, sublime, sacred, etc.   Webster’s Now World College Dictionary )

 

 

            Through Isaiah [51:4-6] God declares that his justice will become light.  We hide in darkness fearing justice because justice in this world brings to light all of our sins.  God’s justice is making things right again for you as he redeems you, buying you back from that darkness of sin, that darkness of being lost.  The earth, as everlasting as it seems to us will wear out like an old set of clothes.  “…but my salvation will last forever [v. 6].  As temporary as all of creation is, God’s salvation, eternal life with him is forever, a long, long time.  His promise is that righteousness comes speedily and salvation which is Christ is on his way [v. 5].  Knowing that, we are to always be ready for Christ’s return.

 

            Jude, an earthly half-brother of Jesus, instructs us to bind ourselves up in the “most holy faith”].  Faith in Jesus is most holy as the Holy Spirit makes it for us.  God makes you to be most holy again in faith, in your baptism, in the final resurrection and at judgment when Jesus presents you in his holiness. 

 

            Do we know when this will be?  No.  Will the earth continue day in and day out, week in and week out, month by month, season to season, year to year as it has since creation?  Yes it will.  Satan so easily lulls souls into a false sense of security in the present world, to nod off and not keep watch.  But Jesus states emphatically, “Watch!”  Live faith knowing that in the end, God will give only good, only everlasting righteousness, only everlasting joy in the company of all saints and all angels in his presence. 

            It is not a cautionary watch.  It is not a “Watch Out!”  It is a joyful, “Watch for,” at it will be.

 

In Jesus’ undying love.  Amen.