The books of the prophets (minor and major) are full of rich promises, beautiful imagery, and comforting hope. One such promise is this one from Zechariah. "The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name" Zechariah 14:9. Four hundred years before the time of Christ, these prophets were foretelling his coming and over two thousand years later, these same prophesies as well as those from the New Testament remind us that Christ will come again a second time for his people. As we enter to the second week of the season of Lent and we are reminded of Jesus's last days on earth before his crucifixion and ultimately his Resurrection, we are reminded that the world we live in rests in the plan and in the hands of our Almighty Father/Creator. Wars do not surprise Him. Cruel rulers do not outwit the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Jesus humbled himself to the point of death. He submitted himself to the plan of God, a plan that appeared to be thwarted and destroyed by the evil of politicians.
Yet, God's ways are higher than the ways of the world. His purposes are much greater than the physical realm where we live. So, too as people of faith journey on the way of the cross- we realize that it is in giving our will to Him, He can work out his purposes in our lives. God's children are called to share the Gospel of Jesus with the world around us; and they are called to share it in love. Discipleship is the path of those who take this journey.
Unfortunately, it is easy to go through the motions of religiosity without actually taking on the walk of faith and that personal relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. In other words, many may talk the talk, but not actually walk the walk. Jesus addressed this issue in the Parable of the Weeds. Matthew 13:24-30, "Jesus told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owners' servants came to him and said, 'Sir didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 'An enemy did this,' he replied. 'The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 'No, he answered, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
God's plan is for all to accept His gift of Jesus Christ, his Son. This lavish love for each one of us will go to all lengths in order to reach the people of this world. Walking the way of the cross, we are called to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. We are even taught to "rejoice and be glad when we face persecution because of righteousness" (Matthew 5:12). Those who produce good fruit will be known by their fruit, while those who bear bad fruit will be cut down and destroyed. (Matthew 7:15-19).
It is those faithful who live out their faith day by day bearing good fruit who bring hope and light into a world that so desperately needs hope! We pray for those who do not recognize clearly that "faith without works is dead" James 2:26. We must proclaim the Good News that Jesus is coming soon! Our purpose as His children is to live out that way to the cross. One day soon He will come to judge the world. One day soon He will be the King over the whole earth and wars/disasters of this world will end. "Even so Lord Jesus Come" (Revelation 22:20).
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Sheryl