Along the way ... January 28, 2014

Sunday I preached on two stories from Jesus' life - two stories that are sometimes called a "Markan sandwich" - Jairus' sick and dying daughter and the woman with a 12 year illness.  (Luke 8:40-56 and Mark 5:21-43)  Jesus heals them both miraculously, and in lots of ways unexpectedly to show that in Him God's kingdom has come.

But what caught my attention was the words of children's author Sally Lloyd-Jones who wrote,

"Jesus was making the sad things come untrue.

He was mending God's broken world."
(Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 220)

I have wrestled with defining the kingdom of God since seminary, and yet I believe Ms. Lloyd-Jones has captured it beautifully.  I know there are all kinds of theological terms that can be used to describe and/or define God's kingdom, but in reality this is the one that captures for each of us what God's kingdom means to us.  - Jesus came to make the sad things in God's broken world come untrue!

What a wonderful sentiment!  What an amazing truth!  The sad things are coming untrue!

Now I imagine each one of us can think of some sad things we wish were untrue, and the good news is that those things are coming untrue and one day will be completely untrue!  On that day, the day of Jesus' return, "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4).  

I know for me this has become especially significant as I have dealt with my dad's recent death.  If not for the hope of the resurrection and the promise that the sad things are coming untrue, I would not know how to go on.  However, in light of God's promises, I know I will see my dad again and right now he is experiencing no pain or sickness, he is already made new, as all things will be one day.  

So what about you?  What sad things are you glad will one day become untrue?