The world we long for

"He who was seated on the throne said: 'I am making all things new'."

Last evening we met for the 4th session in our Lent series 'Have you read this...?'. It was the end of a day where the news had been dark.
The passage in question was a great reminder of how how the revelation of Jesus Christ shines light into a world in darkness, speaks truth and peace into a world where false ideas of 'god' are shouted with violence , and offers hope into a world where people are willing to accept it.

The Bible begins in Genesis with a world make good: 'very good', the Creator calls it. God is seen 'walking in the cool of the day' in an unhindered, unspoiled friendship with humankind.
The voice of the serpent, the 'father of lies' whispers subtle untruth about the God who is Creator and Father to the man and woman, and they listen...and doubt God...and act on the lie...and then live in fear of God because of their guilt. They are banished from the garden and from that unspoiled relationship with God. The rest of the story is history - literally.

Yesterday saw the worst and the best of humanity: a twisted, perverse understanding of 'god' that leads to one man believing that he is doing right (and will be eternally rewarded) by killing and maiming as many as he can; contrasted with those who serve and risk their lives by rushing to the aid of those injured, and by doing so reflect something of the compassion and image of their Creator (whether they know it or not) who has stepped into the world to bring salvation and hope.

The Bible ends - in Revelation - with a promise of a new, restored creation:

'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying for the old order of things has passed away'

It's a picture of order and relationships restored - its a picture of a world that we were made for and long for. Everything that mankind longs for is a longing after this (whether we know it or not).

And the person at the centre of it, the one who has made it possible and will bring it about is Jesus. Jesus who has come to live as man, to die to take away our guilt and to rise so that we may live once again with God.

'He who was seated on the throne said: 'I am making everything new. Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.'

As I think about yesterday, the light and beauty and truth of Jesus Christ shines in the darkness, horror and twisted thinking of that act of terrorism in Westminster: One man bent on bringing about carnage and terror and on fuelling hatred. Another man who is called the prince of peace, who comes 'not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many', who prays for those who are crucifying him, and who in last night's verses from Revelation offers hope of reconciliation and a world made new.

To those troubled and afraid by acts of violence such as yesterday, Jesus speaks words of comfort and invitation:

'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me...Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.'

Today I am grateful for Jesus Christ, 'the way, the truth and the life' - the one who is making, and will finally make, all things new. He issues each of us an invitation to come to him to find life in him.