28 April 2013 - a whole new world
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God.”
It is necessary but it is so worthwhile. No one escapes suffering in this life even if he wants to. A new world is at hand. These sufferings are preparing us for it. Ultimately they only last for the blink of an eye from the perspective of eternity.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
The glory of the world to come is made manifest in the midst of our sufferings just as it is for Jesus even on the very cross itself.
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
But even Jesus endures the cross for the joy which is set before him (cf Heb 12:2). The revelation of God's glory begins in suffering because it reveals to this world that there is something beyond the focus on self which can only try to run from and minimize suffering. It it ends in the joy set before us all.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”
Free from all tears we will join with the psalmist in exultant praise.
I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
So how can we make known such a great but difficult truth?
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
Suffering can only be endured with love. Our love and suffering can lift up others amidst their own pains. And when we are still selfish and don't love as we ought let us turn to Jesus who is the only one with the power to do any of this in us.
“Behold, I make all things new.”
No comments:
Post a Comment