“Oh, Jesus, help
us,” is my simple prayer sometimes when confronted with the sinfulness and the
suffering visited on people I know. And,
too, war and terror bring suffering to millions. Poverty and violence keep neighborhoods
in a death grip. Addictions destroy lives. “Oh, Jesus, help us.” I rejoice when a person comes to know Him,
finds His power to break free, and is changed from the inside out. One decision
to let Jesus be Lord ripples through families and changes the destiny of
hundreds of people. But, I long for that
day when Christ will return to this earth and say, “Enough!” I long for His kingdom to come and His will to
be done in all the earth!
In the days
leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus spent time in the courts of the Temple
teaching. He taught about His revelation
as Lord of all, His glorious Return, but warned that before that celebrated
moment, things will go from bad to worse. “There
will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will
fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem
will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are
fulfilled. “There will be signs in the
sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at
the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive
of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:23)
The details in
those words are difficult to understand, but the promise is not. His Kingdom will come and His people will overcome. Are you anticipating His Coming? Is your life
shaped by the knowledge that this present world is transient, that the eternal
is our true home? Christians need not
wait for the Return of Christ to start to live in the hope and promise of His
kingdom. Here’s how Paul teaches us to
prepare: "Since you have been raised
to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where
Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things
of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real
life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is
revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory."
(Colossians 3:1-4, NLT)
Jesus knew how
easily we could lose sight of eternity.
In that same teaching when He promised His return, He gave us this
warning. “Don’t let the sharp edge of
your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise,
that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like
a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever
you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch.” The Message (Luke 21:34-36) “Oh, Jesus, help
us!”
If His return and
the promise of the coming Kingdom was an important subject for Jesus during his
Passion Week, should it not be a subject worthy of our attention?
Meditate on this. Let
the hope of victory over sin, once and for all, inspire you. Pray to understand God’s calling to live with
a focus much higher than the food you eat, the house you live in, or the
creature comforts of this present world.
C.T. Studd wrote “Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only
what's done for Christ will last.” He lived what he taught. Born into a family of wealth, Studd accepted
Christ, gave away his inheritance, and became a missionary, serving in China,
South India, and in outreaches in many parts of the world. By faith he saw the Kingdom to come, and gave
himself and his life to own it. Will you?
________________
Only One Life
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,"Thy will be done”;
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
n C.T. Studd
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