And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. — Hebrews 9:27-8
As I was looking up the text for today’s devotion I smiled with relief at the realisation that I would be finding it in the New Testament! The Old Testament is certainly indispensable and equally illuminating, but I can’t help my preference. This is because it is in the New Testament that we have the full revelation of Jesus Christ. No more waiting and wishing, He’s finally here now! Naturally it is entirely easier to relate to.
Having said that however, it is so easy to find oneself over-preoccupied with life and God can sometimes seem so distant! Today’s text can seem particularly daunting as it has a certain apocalyptic tone to it. I start to reflect and think about judgement, and then my thoughts turn to how modern fiction tends to depict the end of the world. Every other film seems to explore our disastrous fate when strenuous use of the earth’s natural resources, pollution or a fatal climate change drives the world to ruin. Even physics now tells us that our own sun will eventually be giving up on us someday, ceasing carrying out its energy-producing process of fusion. What then, freezing temperatures and total darkness? That is as realistically as I can picture the apocalyptic last day (a chill slides down my spine). I imagine God’s fully glorious and mighty presence coming to gather up His people. How will He ever find me amidst this blackness, and if He does will He like what He sees? (There is a tight feeling in my chest).
That might have been the tragic picture, but like waking from a nightmare, I realise how Jesus is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. I scoff at my foolish doubts. Judgement is no longer pendant; it took place when Jesus stood before the Father in heaven on our behalf appearing spotless and blameless in His sight. In our baptisms we receive the Holy Spirit and we put on Christ. Now when God looks at us; He sees the purity of Jesus and we shine brighter and so much more luminously than the sun.
It is human nature to doubt the reality of a God who once uttered mountains into being, and that this God is good. It seems almost silly that this God might preoccupy Himself with such as us. But through the Holy Spirit comes the knowledge of God’s love that caused Him to humble Himself to human form to die on the cross for us. This, and how He urges for me and you to call Him our Father, becomes the clearest, simplest truth in the world. So today’s message is by no means a threatening one, but a message of redemption for those who partake in Christ’s body and blood.
I am confident in my salvation, and I thank God for His gift of Jesus Christ.
I pray that I may never be so presumptuous as to turn away God, but I may always seek to replenish my strength in Christ the founder and perfector of my faith, and receive the all-sufficient sacrifice for sin. That when the day comes, I may be found ready and eagerly waiting. Amen.