December 2022
“Surely
I am coming soon.”
Amen.
Come Lord Jesus!
Thus
ends the book of Revelation. It was a word from God for Christians persecuted by
the Roman emperor. These Christians wanted Jesus to return and finish the
victory that was won at the cross and in the resurrection. They desperately wanted the promises of God
and longed-for return of Jesus to come quickly.
I
have friends who feel the same way. People I deeply care about, people who know
what pain is, have said to me, “I just wish Jesus would come back, right now.”
Revelation and Advent are both for these weary disciples.
In 22:17, we are invited to the waters of life (v.17), Revelation meets
Christmas.
We wait and anticipate. We
shop, set up our trees, wrap our presents, hope for the smile when our loved
ones unwrap them; we decorate, prepare for special worship at church because
it is Christmas time; and then, finally, the day arrives. The entire season
is one of waiting, anticipating, and then arriving.
It can weigh heavy on
person. Vibrant faith gets crowded out
in the hustle and bustle. Revelation and
Advent are for those who are holiday-weary or world-weary. “Come Lord
Jesus.” It’s a prayer. It’s a desperate
cry. Jesus, come into my life!
He has, He is, and He
will. The Jesus we meet in the manger is the Jesus who died on the cross, walked
out of the grave, and sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts. He sits at the right hand of the Father, and
will one day return to judge the world. We can gain strength anticipating that
day because we are sure of its coming. Equally we are sure of the Spirit’s presence
in our lives today. Just we hope for the arrival of Christmas this year and the
return of Jesus at the end, we can hope for the new things the Spirit will do
in our lives today. Sing! Sing the song of Revelation 21. Sing the song of Advent. Come, Lord
Jesus! Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
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