I don't go into Sermon mode often. That isn't the intent of this. The intention is to inspire and motivate. I'm an external processor so this is to me as much as anyone.... okay, time to psych ourselves up.....
John 16:19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.Good Friday is one of the "little whiles" that Christ mentioned.
Our lives today is the other 'little while' until He comes again.
The 'little whiles' to us, are lifetimes.
How should we live during our 'little while' on Earth?
Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you....
Our lives on this earth are not about pleasing ourselves, amassing wealth, being entertained, or gaining fame.
Our lives are meant to be spent loving on people, doing good, and heaping blessings on people who may in return, hate us.
Friday we mourn the death of Christ.
Sunday we celebrate His resurrection.
This weekend is a little while, our lives are a little while.
For those currently experiencing grief and woe... be encouraged by the Word of God.
For those too mired in the selfish culture of this world...be warned by the Word of God.
For those saying 'BORING! He's quoting Scripture again... skim skim.. scroll scroll' find encouragement this weekend. As humans we hate suffering, Christ took on a whole lot of it. We can take on some... for a little while.
Between now and next Easter, if all of us who proclaim Christ as our Savior, truly loved our enemies, did good to those who cursed us, I truly believe that the world would start to see the word 'Christian' in a positive light again. That it would stand for love, instead of condemnation.
It is the time of year to remember what Christ did for us, to focus on His Words to us, and to recommit our efforts for the coming year.
It's Christian New Year's resolution time.
It's go-time.
Don't be discouraged by enormity of the task, instead, take the first step, and be a light to others.
