Justice and the Prophets
God Promises a Just Kingdom
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Resurrection Hope
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Message
The Master’s Coming
13-14 And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.
15-18 And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.
For Reflection
We have heard and seen so much death these past few weeks. Families and friends grieve over their loss. How can it be said that death has lost its sting?
The sting of death is felt by the living. But for the dead, there is only life. They live in the presence of God, the creator. They rest and suffer humanity no longer.
I don't fear death. (Pain yes, death, no.) Don't get me wrong. I am not eager to die. I treasure God's gift of human life. But I have discovered that not only do I face death fearlessly, I also face life without debilitating fear. Yes, I have that much confidence in the promise of God.
I fear joyless living. I fear facing suffering without God's comfort. I fear the possibility that I might be seduced into forsaking God and not being embraced by the blessings of peace, doomed to seek satisfaction where no lasting comfort can be found.
Pray
Pray and seek to find rest in the good, the true, and the beautiful. Pray and accept the suffering and embrace the only place that allows us to bear the darkness; the hollow of God's healing hand.
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