THE MESSAGE: SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 29, 2022

 

THE MESSAGE

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 29, 2022

Scripture Readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

"Waiting"

Would you pray with me: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. [1] Amen.

The watchword for this day is “Wait!” [2] Yet we all know that waiting can be hard. We want to know what is next. We want to know what we are supposed to do. We want a clear path forward on the next step of our journey. We want to jump in and take action to do something, rather than just stand idly by. And when we have no control over a situation and are forced to wait, we can be overcome by anxiety, fear, and frustration. Our minds may go through every possible senecio, yet we are left without answers. We simply have no choice but to wait.

Perhaps, “we are afraid of waiting” because it is so uncomfortable. [3] And if you are someone who is a planner, like me, there is nothing more unsettling than finding yourself in a place of limbo, not knowing which way to turn; being forced to just sit and wait. I’m sure most people do not enjoy the feeling of having no control over situations they may find themselves in. But often we have no choice but to wait for things and events to unfold.

Think about how many times in your life that you personally have had to wait. We have to wait for test results from our doctors. Many have anxiously awaited news from the doctor when a loved one undergoes surgery. And as parents, we wait for nine months before our children are born. Many have waited for the arrival of a loved one traveling home to be with us. And how many people have to wait for the bus to just get from here to there. Waiting is a part of life. And there are times when we must be patient and just wait.

As we turn our attention to today’s message from Acts, we find the disciples being told that they would need to wait in Jerusalem. What do you think may have been going through their minds?

During Jesus’ ministry upon this earth, his disciples were with him, following him as he went from town to town, and village to village. When Jesus was crucified, they deeply mourned his loss and stayed hidden out of fear. And when the disciples saw the Resurrected Lord, their hearts were over filled with joy. Now for the past forty days Jesus Christ who has risen from the grave and is alive has been appearing to them, speaking to them about the kingdom of God.[4] And, “While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” [5] But what does “not many days from now” [6] mean? How long will they have to wait?

Jesus is getting ready to leave them, to return to the heavenly realm. They question him asking, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] But it is not the time.  And they are not given specifics for a time when the kingdom would be restored. They simply would have to wait, until such time would be revealed. And “As they were watching, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” [8] He was gone. They did not know when they would see him again. Yet they were promised that he would return. They were told: “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [9] “The times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority to restore the kingdom to Israel, is not known to anyone.” [10]

While we do not know when Christ will come again, we can be assured that indeed he will return. It is only a matter of time, but of that day and hour no one knows, but the Father. And let us be assured that Christ will come again, for God fulfills God’s promises made to humankind as seen throughout Scripture.

As we think about it, ever since that day that Jesus ascended to heaven, generation after generation has been waiting for the return of our Lord to this earth. In turning to today’s reading from the Book of Revelation, we are told, “See, I am coming soon.” [11] But what does “soon” mean in terms of God’s time. We just don’t know. God time is not as we mortals measure time. It is not governed by the days and nights, the months and years. And all we can do is wait – wait for Christ to return to this earth coming in the same way as he went into heaven.

When we look back over the course of Christianity, every generation believed that “soon” meant during their life time. The early Christians believed that Christ would come soon. And every generation who has faced war and pestilence believed that Christ’s return was near as foretold by the prophesies. And each and every generation of the church, who is the bride of Christ, has awaited his return.

But as time goes on, it seems some people have lost their enthusiasm for the second coming of the Lord because we seemingly wait endlessly? And today how many people really believe that Christ’s coming is near? Yet, we are living in a time when many of the prophesies have been fulfilled: most but not all. But the signs of the times are unfolding all around us, whether we recognize them or not. Christ will come again- and for many it will be unexpected and they will not be prepared. So, we must prepare as we wait, and we must not fear.

We must not become entrapped by this world and the predictions of humans. For some people dream up dooms-day scenarios about how the world will end which only breeds fear and anxiety. This fascination with the end times may sell a lot of box office tickets. After all, how many apocalyptic movies are out there ranging from zombie movies to world destruction?

Yet they all seem to miss the point. Christ’s second coming is not something to feared. It is something we should be welcoming with joy. For “blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.” [12] “The Spirit and the bride (the church) says, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes, take the water of life as a gift.” [13] As followers of Christ, we should be excited that our Lord will return, for a new Jerusalem will be ushered in, “coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” [14] And we are promised life eternal with Christ. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will have] passed away.” [15] This is the gift from our Lord that we wait for. And if the good earth which God created, even in its fallen state is merely a reflection of the true beauty of heaven, then what a glorious place this new heaven and new earth will be.

While we are waiting, let us know that God is at work in all things. We may not see what is happening behind the scenes, but it is happening for a purpose, and God is in control, even when we have no control over what is happening around us or to us. The prophet Jeremiah tells us of Gods plans. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [16]

But amidst the war and violence, the pestilence and worldly unrest, some may ask then why then do bad things happen to good people. And this week, in the wake of the recent violence, the school shooting in Texas, we question why innocent children and teachers were taken from us, and we have no answers. Yet let us be assured that God is at work, to bring good out of the evil actions of humankind.

Even in the mist of struggle, in the mist of waiting for the dawning of the new day, our Lord is at work to bring about his plans for each of us, to profit us and to bless us. And in the sadness and grief; when we feel defeated – when evil strikes and chaos abounds, Christ still is with us, crying with us, walking with us, getting us through one moment at a time. Yes, waiting is often the hardest thing we have to do. But when we wait upon the Lord, we have hope. Isaiah tells us, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” [17]

So, while we wait for Christ to return; while we wait for things to unfold in our daily lives, let us wait upon the Lord in prayer and meditation, trusting that God has us. Trusting that God loves us and wants what is best for all of us. We are His beloved children.

This week I heard a beautiful song in the midst of the chaos taking place. I would like to share the lyrics with you. The song is called “The Plans I Have for You.” It was written by Marty Goetz and Misha and if you have access to a computer, I hope you Google it and find it on YouTube. I invite you to open your hearts as you listen to these words:

Here I am, waiting once again
On my knees, listening and then
In a moment, a voice so clear
Speaks in a whisper, the words I need to hear
I know the plans I have for you, you're always on my mind
And all the thoughts I think toward you are lovingly designed,
To bring you through, and give to you a future and a hope
They're for your peace, they're for your good 
The plans I have for you [18]

​Would you pray with me:

Lord, we trust in the plans you have for us, and we ask that you give us the strength we need, until they unfold. May your light shine upon us even in the midst of darkened times, and bring us through all that we must face in this lifetime upon this earth. We say Come Lord Jesus Come, as we wait upon you O Lord. Thank you for your grace and love, and for your presence with us in all things. We ask your blessings in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

[1] Psalm 19:14

[2] Nancy C. Townley, “Worship Connection May 29, 2022,” Ministry Matters April 8th 2013, https:// www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/3819/worship-connection-may-29-2022.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Acts 1:3 (NRSV)

[5] Acts 1:4-5 (NRSV)

[6] Ibid.

[7] Acts 1:6 (NRSV)

[8] Acts 1:9 (NRSV)

[9] Acts 1:11 (NRSV)

[10] Acts 1:6-7 (NRSV)

[11] Revelation 22:12 (NRSV)

[12] Revelation 22:14, NRSV

[13] Revelation 22:17, NRSV

[14] Revelation 21:2, NRSV

[15] Revelation 21:4, NRSV

[16] Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

[17] Isaiah 40:31, NIV

[18] Mary Goetz, “The Plans I Have for You” https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Marty-Goetz-feat-Misha-Goetz/The-Plans-I-Have-for-You-Jeremiah-29-11