Isaiah 51:4-6; Jude 20-25; Mark 13:24-37

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I hate buying new things just to see them wear out quickly. It’s always my biggest regret to buy something and then see it become trash within a week, month, or even year in certain cases. It just seems like wasted money, especially when it’s something you need like a backpack for school, a winter coat, or a computer. 

It feels like a law of nature that nothing lasts forever. We get used to the fact that anything we buy is momentary. It’s just a matter of how momentary it is. And of course, it’s not just things that are temporary. It’s friends, jobs, happiness, sadness, and even life itself. We suffer the reality of decay and deterioration, the ups and downs of watching new things eventually disappear. Nothing ever lasts forever. 

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus continues to tell us about the decay and destruction of the world as we know it. Yes, even our world will come to an end. “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken,” Mark 13:24-25. When Jesus comes, there’s much terror about all that will happen as our world decays to nothing. However, amidst all the decay and destruction, there’s one thing that will stay: God’s word. Every promise, every word our Lord has spoken, every command of God shall hold true.

This is the astonishing thing about what we value. All these things that we know won’t last, that we know will wear out, we protect as our greatest treasure. We place such importance at times on what we wear, what type of phone we have, having the latest gadgets, the nicest house, and so on. We do all this, knowing that these things will fail us and wear out. And yet, God’s word that is eternal, we treat as if it’s worthless. We treat God’s enduring word like another piece of candy on Halloween or an extra present under the Christmas tree.

Seek, then, after that which endures. Seek after God’s word which holds true even when all else fades away. For this is our faith which grants us confidence to face every challenge that awaits us, even the end of the world. Thus, Jesus says, “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come,” Mark 13:33. Jesus calls us to treasure his word above all else because his Word to us is light and life! This is the word of God, that Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. From the cross, God has spoken to us forgiveness, life, and salvation. No amount of time, decay, or even the forces of Satan shall empty the cross of its power, nor God’s word of its strength. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” Mark 13:31. Jesus Christ stands at the gates of paradise with the same enduring word of the cross, that you are redeemed by His death and granted entrance into eternity! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!