Both great and small

The contrast between two lives played in my mind as I drove home from the hospital yesterday. Vince, a humble servant of the Lord, served the street people of Manhattan, loved his wife, and prayed for his sons and daughters. He didn't travel the world or meet with national leaders. Now, his earthly life appears to be very near the end- quietly attended by just a few who love him dearly. All this week, on the TV screen, I watched as millions streamed to Rome to memorialize Karol Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II). Thousands wept as they waited hours to walk past his body, lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica. This man's influence effected millions around the world. He rode in the Popemobile before adoring crowds. His written words were repeated by priests from pulpits on every continent.

As I drove with these two scenes in mind, the thought that kept repeating to me was the passage from Hebrews - "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27, KJV) Great and small, famous and obscure, rich and poor - the distinctions of this world disappear in death! Vince and Karol (and you and me!) will share the same place before the Awesome Lord of Glory and answer the same question- what did you do with Jesus and His grace?

High office and humble service have nothing to do with being received into Heaven! The structures of the world reward the high and mighty. Favor flows toward the bright and beautiful. It is quite natural to think that God, too, offers His eternal home to those of noteworthy achievements and/or goodness, but that is simply not true. This declaration defies our logic: "God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:8, NLT)

My only hope (and I sincerely pray you share it) is in the Cross of Christ and the Grace of God. The hymn writer's phrasing expresses it well-

My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand.

Friend, be you 15 or 50, I press on you the fact that God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2, NLT) Be prepared for that inevitable appointment by settling the issue now. That's right! Receiving Jesus' grace gives you assurance and peace. If you are Christ's, when your moment of appearing in God's Presence arrives, the Bible says that Jesus will be your Advocate presenting you before the Father saying, "This is my brother (sister), accepted into our family, at My expense."

That is why death has lost it's terrors for us. We are going home!
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