7/21/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David; the bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

(Revelation 22.16-17)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

James 4.7 proposes, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” I bring this scripture into this reflection because of the word “resist.” Many times, we think of “resist” as refusal and denial as in “resist temptation.” We would rather not put ourselves into situations where we would be tempted to act in opposition to what we know is true so that we will not be tempted. But, even then, the mere consideration of the thing is entering into temptation. Only in true repentance do we “turn away” from temptation denying action and attempting to calm and dispel the very thought of it. Of course, Jesus said, as a principle that could be applied to other temptations, “The one who looks at another with lust in their eyes is guilty of the sin as surely as they committed the act itself.” (ref. Matthew 5.27f) This is why James said, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” Such focus on the things of God and seeing people as children of God and not things of the world is an act of resistance to the highest degree. Jesus did that when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness after forty days sojourn following His anointing by John in the Jordan River. He resisted the temptation not by denying it or avert the vision by turning a blind eye. No, He resisted by submitting it to God with God’s word and moving forward into fray. In other words, Jesus pushed back. He did not turn away. He did not run from the fight but took the fight to Satan. We can build walls and establish ourselves in the midst of what we think is a safe haven. We can do it physically, literally and internally. But, until we truly engage the issue with the truth, then we entertain the lie as an acceptable reality in the midst of us. We must “come” to terms with who we are and whose we are and who we truly desire to be. It is an active response and not a passive one. We must respond with boldness so as to “speak the truth in love.”

Now, hear the description of response in Revelation 22.17, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes [come] take the free gift of the water of life.” It, too, is an active and not passive reality. It is not only a calling out for the resurrected Lord to come [in God’s time and not ours- this is the challenge] but a calling out of one’s self to meet. Remember what John the Baptizer preached in the wilderness by the Jordan River? It was an invitation to “meet” the one who was “coming.” He repeated the prophecies of Isaiah (chapter 40) and in Malachi (chapter 3), “Prepare the way of the Lord, make a straight path in the desert places.” (Luke 3 and Mark 1). He did not commend sitting and waiting for the King to come into their presence. He was coming but it was better to “go and meet” Him on the way. Making that “straight path” was not clearing the way for the Lord to enter as much as it was for those who longed for Him to make a straight beeline to Him. It was direct and undeniable.

I go back to the story of the Prodigal Son. With a heavy heart, the father allowed the “wondering” son to wander. He trusted in the instruction he had given to both his sons as they grew up. He could have resisted the temptation to let the son go and fight a battle that could not be won. Instead, he “resisted” the false hope of controlling his son and acted with faith. I have no doubt the father covered the decision with prayer every day the son was absent from him. I also believe that he resisted apathy about the situation, surrendering to hopelessness. I even imagine that the father had servants to follow the son and keep an eye on him from a distance. Maybe others were hired to whisper in passing the reminder of a loving father who was waiting for him at home. Whatever the situation may have been, the son finally recognized the pit of his despair and the joy of his salvation. Once coming to that truth about himself and his father, he went to “come into his presence with thanksgiving” and humility. Once his mind was made up, he went straightway. He no long wandered as he wondered. But, notice the response of the father, too. I have no doubt of his confidence and longing for the “lost” son. His son, however, was never lost to him. He sat patiently on his porch or his rooftop looking down the road believing his son would return. He knew the son would have to come on his own terms, however. Even if the father had received word that the son was returning, he waited for the right moment to “come” to him and meet him on the road. Seeing the son on the far hill was that moment. He had cleared the path just as he had a clear vision of the wayward son making his way homeward. It was the same moment when the son saw from that hill his father’s house just as it had always been. What he saw, however, was far more than the house. He saw someone coming to meet him. It was his father, the hem of his robe in hand, running. Dust flew up behind every footfall. And the father was not alone. There were servants, too, who followed the father in a welcoming entourage. They were all shouting “COME!” I find it a bit overwhelming. Don’t you? How many of us long to resist the temptation to make others have to come to us on our terms when we can certainly meet them on the road and come to terms. But, do we? Do we demand, as did the older son, that others meet us, come to us, become like us before they are acceptable?

I think of when my daughters first learned to walk. I encouraged them with “Come on, come to daddy.” As they took careful and unsure steps with one hand on the couch or chair or table to “come to me,” I found myself “coming to them.” I moved an inch and they took a step. I reached a little further and they moved a little closer. I did not stand there giving orders or sit there with resolved expectation of compliance. I said “come” and met them on the way. And I see it in a similar fashion as the Revelation comes to a close. I know that Jesus is coming back. I long for His return and say “Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly.” But, I must resist the temptation to demand His compliance to my request. I am only the boss of me and sometimes a poor boss at best. But, in the knowledge that He is coming as He promised, I must take steps to meet Him. I have to move. I have to act. I have to recognize that the true terms of life are not mine but God’s. In love, mercy and grace, the hand is extended saying “Come.” And all the while He is coming closer and closer. Do not think He isn’t moving in this direction. He is. He may be just beyond the crest of the hill beyond a line of sight. We must resist the temptation to believe “He isn’t coming” or “He will just appear and then everything will be alright.” The word has been sent of His coming. We have the gospel and the prophecies to inform us and prepare us for His coming. The Spirit says “come.” The Bride, which is the Church, says “come.” The one who hears the Word says “come.” The one who is thirsty for authentic life is invited to “come” and drink just as the Woman at the well. We must be active in our “resistance.” We must move forward to the day. We must not invite trouble as if we think by making things worse we will entice the Savior to come. We must not invite religiousity and super-piety as if we deserve His coming more than others. We must step out and step forward saying “Come.” It is to be an invitation for others to join us so that we can “come together.” And the result of it? Well, it is a promised result: 1) Satan will flee and 2) the joy of the Lord will come to dwell with us forever.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, ready us, steady us and by Your Holy Spirit which Christ has promised us strengthen us to accomplish Your will on earth as it is in Heaven. Let the glory of the Lord be upon us. May Your Face look upon us and give us peace. May our declaration of the way, the truth and the life give comfort, aide and courage to those who are still in need of a Savior. May we introduce them today to Jesus who is the Christ and in whose name we live, pray and serve. AMEN.