“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3, ESV)
As we begin a new sermon series on the Psalms, I wanted to quickly connect how we wrapped up the “I Am” series in John 14 with how we will begin our time studying the Psalms.
Jesus told His disciples He was coming back so they could be with Him forever. The Psalms point not only to Jesus’ first coming but His second coming as well.
Here is just one example of a Psalm pointing to the return of Christ:
“11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.” (Psalm 96:11-13, ESV)
I enjoy C. S. Lewis and the imaginative way he weaves in biblical themes into his fictional stories, especially the Narnia series which features the Christ figure, Aslan the Lion. Here is how he describes the final judgement in The Last Battle:
“The creatures came rushing on, their eyes brighter and brighter as they drew nearer and nearer to the standing Stars. But as they came right up to Aslan one or other of two things happened to each of them. They all looked straight in his face; I don't think they had any choice about that. And when some looked, the expression of their faces changed terribly - it was fear and hatred... And all the creatures who looked at Aslan in that way swerved to their right, his left, and disappeared into his huge black shadow... I don't know what became of them. But the others looked in the face of Aslan and loved him, though some of them were very frightened at the same time. And all of these came in at the Door, on Aslan's right” (Chapter 14).
When Jesus returns as He promises in John 14, He comes in love and also to usher in a final judgment. How we followers of Christ long for that day while also wanting so much for everyone around us to know the choice we have right now to respond to His gracious offer of true life. Psalm 96 points to Jesus’ return and the reality of a judgement that will separate those who follow Christ from those who have rejected Him. Though we have many questions as to exactly how this will work out, we know our opportunity and call right now is to go and make disciples of every nation, baptizing them and teaching them everything that our Lord has commanded (Matthew 28:16-20).
Living Out God’s Word
Spend some time relishing in the fact that Jesus is coming back for you. How wonderful to think that the Lord of the universe has His eyes on you. Also, pray for those who have yet to make a clear confession of faith in Christ. Call or email someone this week with an encouragement to listen to a sermon that points to the hope found in Christ.
Prayer
Jesus, I believe You really are coming back! I do not take today for granted and will spend it for Your glory. I believe that my greatest joy is found when I focus on Your will and Your ways so help me be attentive to Your Spirit today, reaching out to those in need of Your hope. Amen.