He's Coming
WEST SIDE'S BUMP FOR THE MONTH
November 2000
HE'S COMING!
Some times when Sydney gets hurt, if its bad enough and I'm not
around she really needs me. It can get so bad that the only
encouragement she receives is when Sara tells her "Don't worry, Daddy's
coming home soon."
About a year ago I read a book that dealt with the 400 years
between the Old Testament and the New Testament. It described the
different tragedies and moments of triumph for the Jews.
One basic need stood out in those years:
We need the Messiah to come.
When you read through the gospels and get to the last chapters of
John, the long awaited Messiah is on his final journey home. The
apostles are spending their last days with Jesus and a time is coming
when the One they had loved so dearly would no longer be with them in
a physical sense. They would need assurance, comfort and other
promises so their faith could remain strong.
Shortly after his resurrection, the apostle's were empowered by
the Holy Spirit and began to spread the message of good news to the
world. Thousands would respond but soon opposition arose and the
enemies of the Way would beat, imprison and threaten to kill the
followers of the Nazarene. As these people would witness the deaths
of Stephen & others they would need assurance, comfort and other
promises so their faith could remain strong.
Then a few decades later, the beloved apostles began to be taken
from the saints. The men who guided, taught and shepherded the early
church were now being tortured and exiled. The saints who were left
to carry on needed assurance, comfort and other promises so their faith
could remain strong.
Finally, by the end of the 1st century, all out war was declared
on the church and Christians would not be safe anywhere, what do you
tell them so their faith could remain strong?
Such is the challenge of every generation. Things happen even
today that make life seem long. Many suffer from the dreariness of
life and the struggles of daily walking apart from the world can make
life lonely as a believer.
What is given us to keep the torch lit?
One basic message:
He is coming!
"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:18)
Jesus is coming!
It is the message that sustained the early believers despite all the
trials and tribulations. As we carry the torch those men and women so
valiantly carried in years gone by, we must remember that the life
that now is shall not always be.
Why?
Jesus is coming. Live in that faith!
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