PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 23:26-31
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“If people do this when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31)
Jesus knows that things can only go from bad to worse in our world.
If innocent people are crucified by religious leaders, things do not look good.
If living trees are cut down like this, what will happen to the dead trees?
Without God, our trees (lives, hopes, kingdoms) are withering and dying.
At first, we do OK, like a tree first uprooted from the soil (its still green).
But as time goes on, the tree slowly dies, and it’s branches go dry.
Our world has been running on reserves, but in time things will go dry.
Eventually, slowly, everything goes from bad to worse.
Contrary to the idea that life in this world is evolving, it’s devolving.
Unless we are reconnected to God; unless we are replanted in the soil.
Why are we so surprised by increasing sickness, violence, addiction, despair, suicide?
We may be in a bubble for the moment, but how long will our bubble last?
Jesus entered the mess to overcome it; he endured the curse to overcome it.
There is hope in this messed up world, but only Jesus can take us there!
PRAYER
Lord, I cast my ballot a few days ago, but I have no illusions that any of these leaders can help. Our crisis is deeper and worse than politics can fix; we need a Messiah!
The saying goes “hope springs eternal” – without hope we perish. Jesus is our hope – we only have what we have without him. Without him we dry up – eventually our bodies will have run their course. Jesus is my hope – my spirit longs for him. Help me use my body to live! Without him we can only try and avoid the misery as we strive to live. We need hope – but hope in Jesus who is eternal and gives us life – we gives us the HS that we may be guided as we live!
Simon carried the cross behind Jesus – following Him. I too have to pick up my cross and follow Him. Innocent Christ was crucified so I can have life. t the same time, the powers that be were corrupt – a broken world. That is true still today. The only answer is Jesus. Today we/I need to turn to Him in this messed up world. That is not happening. The hope of the nations is Jesus and Him we must follow.
1
Am I a soldier of the Cross—
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
In the name, the precious name,
Of Him who died for me,
Through grace I’ll win the promised crown,
Whate’er my cross may be.
2
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?
3
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
4
Since I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord!
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.