Over the past months I’ve been ploughing through the Old Testament books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, among others. I admit there have been times when it’s been tough going and I was tempted to skip those records of God's interactions with horribly disobedient people. Now that I'm past those and into the New Testament, I'm reading more slowly and carefully through the accounts of the gospels (i.e. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). What's stood and spoken loudly to my heart are those things that Jesus both spoke and, on the other hand, kept to Himself. He knew things that were coming, things that the disciples couldn't imagine. More than checking off the list of "today's reading" I am committed to sensing and acknowledging insight into what was, what is and what's coming.
There's no need in delving into what "was" because records of history, both secular and Biblical, are clear. Evil of every kind resulted in suffering of every kind; as for what "is," it takes more perception to not see, than to grasp the current world, national and local unrest. Can "what is" be described in any other words but frightening? Oops, I should note, however, that here in many parts of our world, COVID statistics are slowly dropping and for that we need to give thanks.
Then, there is the unknown of "what is to come" and that's what I'm searching out in my meditations. Jesus responded to the questions and criticisms of religious leaders yet they did not grasp the meaning of His words. Intent on bringing about His demise, they'd no interest in accepting Him for who He was; sadly, not even His disciples really understood His purpose in coming to Earth.
What's ahead? Perhaps frightening yet glorious. Let's remember that no earthly pain matches the peace of His presence.
