Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
A New Vision of the Messianic Age
1 Peter 4:12-19
Juby Panachakunnel
MTC Farmer's Branch,
Dallas, TX
19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with
God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do
good.
I was talking to my mom the other day about how I had told an aunty that Lent was really hard, the aunty berated me and told me never to say that again. I went home that day and thought through why it might be wrong to express the hardship of sacrificing something to know Christ better. Although I had given up things for lent before, this Lent specifically had been especially hard and on more than one occasion I had asked God if this was really needed. But in those times, He was more than faithful in bringing me through with strength and covering me with grace.
It reminds me sometimes of when Paul had the thorn in his side and our Lord told him, “My grace is all you need. My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Every time we are made weak, we are reminded of exactly how powerful God is and exactly how weak we are. During this Lent we give up something that means something to us in not only sharing with Christ's suffering, but also drawing nearer to Him as Good Friday and Easter draw close.
The new vision of the Messianic age is one of no suffering, no tears, no pain. A place, a hope that only exists for us because of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And so even through the suffering of this Lent, with the bad times, the good times, and the hard times, we rejoice in that the day of our Lord is near. That a place has been reserved for us in that Messianic age where we will no longer suffer, but rejoice with our faithful brothers and sisters.
So my brothers and sisters, even as we suffer, let us rejoice that our hope is not in the things of this world, but that this Messianic age is coming where we will be made complete in our Lord Jesus Christ. And even now, as we suffer, that through our suffering, we are being made more like Christ.
I was talking to my mom the other day about how I had told an aunty that Lent was really hard, the aunty berated me and told me never to say that again. I went home that day and thought through why it might be wrong to express the hardship of sacrificing something to know Christ better. Although I had given up things for lent before, this Lent specifically had been especially hard and on more than one occasion I had asked God if this was really needed. But in those times, He was more than faithful in bringing me through with strength and covering me with grace.
It reminds me sometimes of when Paul had the thorn in his side and our Lord told him, “My grace is all you need. My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Every time we are made weak, we are reminded of exactly how powerful God is and exactly how weak we are. During this Lent we give up something that means something to us in not only sharing with Christ's suffering, but also drawing nearer to Him as Good Friday and Easter draw close.
The new vision of the Messianic age is one of no suffering, no tears, no pain. A place, a hope that only exists for us because of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And so even through the suffering of this Lent, with the bad times, the good times, and the hard times, we rejoice in that the day of our Lord is near. That a place has been reserved for us in that Messianic age where we will no longer suffer, but rejoice with our faithful brothers and sisters.
So my brothers and sisters, even as we suffer, let us rejoice that our hope is not in the things of this world, but that this Messianic age is coming where we will be made complete in our Lord Jesus Christ. And even now, as we suffer, that through our suffering, we are being made more like Christ.
PRAYER
Abba Father,
Lord, You've been so incredibly faithful during this time, and we know you always will be. We've fallen short in so many different ways that sometimes it's hard to stand up again. Even then we know You are there and give us the strength to stand up again. Father, have mercy on us when we are suffering and remind us of our hope in You and in Your plans for us. Give us grace for not only us but also for those around us who are suffering too. We love you and praise you always. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Lord, You've been so incredibly faithful during this time, and we know you always will be. We've fallen short in so many different ways that sometimes it's hard to stand up again. Even then we know You are there and give us the strength to stand up again. Father, have mercy on us when we are suffering and remind us of our hope in You and in Your plans for us. Give us grace for not only us but also for those around us who are suffering too. We love you and praise you always. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
If you are suffering, won't those around you be suffering too? We are set apart by not only the love we have been given, but also the love that we give to others. Remember to give grace and love to those around you as you remember the Hope that leads us forward!
If you are suffering, won't those around you be suffering too? We are set apart by not only the love we have been given, but also the love that we give to others. Remember to give grace and love to those around you as you remember the Hope that leads us forward!