Revelation 21:1-6,12-20 Last words …
Friends in Christ,
When children leave home after high school or college, words are shared between parent and child to express love. When a loved one passes, if there is an opportunity, last words are shared are also shared to express love and gratitude. When employees retire or move to another position, last words are shared – hopefully words of gratitude (but maybe not!). For example, when William Seward, U.S. Secretary of State and architect of the Alaska Purchase, died in 1872, his final words were, quote, ‘Always love one another.’” Harriet Tubman, an important part of the early civil rights movement, said to those gathered around her death bed, “Give my love to the churches. Tell the women to stand firm.” When Jean-Philippe Rameau, an eighteenth-century French composer, was in the final hours of life and his priest was administering last rites while singing a beloved hymn of comfort, Rameau gathered his breath with enough force to demand, “What the devil do you mean to sing to me, priest? You are out of tune.” And, there is also this: John Sedgwick, a general in the Union Army of the Civil War, was criticizing the Confederate Army posted on the opposite ridge when he said, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist ….” Steve Jobs, creator of Apple, exclaimed with his eyes closed, “OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.” Wow! is right because almost everything eventually comes to an end. Favorite television shows, books, first kisses, concerts, school!, life itself.
(1) Before Jesus departed from His disciples to return to heaven, after His crucifixion and resurrection to pay for the sins of the world, He offered several final messages that were – and still are – important. They are words and ways Jesus wants us to remember and put into practice. Of first importance is this: a word of promise and comfort. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Loved ones gone, but not forever, and certainly not forgotten. See if this helps: Bob Greene a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, wrote about the tears of Sarah Mayes, a 10-year-old who lost her grandfather. Sarah’s grandfather had died unexpectedly, and she did not have a chance to say good bye in the way she wanted. To rectify the situation, Sarah’s parents bought her a large balloon and encouraged her to write a letter to her grandfather in which she could express her love for him. When she finished, her parents helped her sealed it into an envelope and address it to “Grandpa Bernie in Heaven Up High.” They added Sarah’s home return address for good measure, took the balloon and letter into the backyard, and let it go. Up, up, and up until out of sight. Two months later a letter arrived for Sarah! It read, “Dear Sarah, Your letter to Grandpa Bernie apparently reached its destination and was read by him. Because they don’t keep paper and pencils in heaven, your letter drifted back to earth. They just keep love, memories, and happiness in heaven. Your grandpa knows that you love him and he is waiting patiently to see you again some day with Jesus.” Sincerely, Donn Kopp, also a Grandpa.
Like you, I yearn to see my parents, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, my friends again in the perfect peace and joy of heaven with Jesus. We have His word that we will.
(2) How will that happen? It is a second word from Jesus. He told the disciples before He ascended, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Little Lindsay and her friend were overheard by heard parents talking about Jesus and His love for the world. Like a little preacher, Lindsay was carefully walking through the basics of the Christians faith with her friend. Pleased and proud at what they were overhearing, her parents kept listening. Lindsay added, “If you believe in Jesus, He will forgive your sins and you will go to heaven with Him. Heaven is a wonderful place with Jesus and the angles.” Lindsay’s friend seemed thrilled at the message she was hearing. Then, she asked, “Will my Mom and Dad be with me in heaven?” Lindsay’s parents leaned closer still to hear her add, “Yes, your Mom and Dad will be with you in heaven is they believe in Jesus. But, if you don’t want them to be there with you, don’t tell them about Jesus!”
Not quite the plan … rather, Jesus’ commission is for us to gladly, willingly, winningly to share His love with others – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates. You know the promise well: “God so loved the world …” Everyone. Everywhere. Heaven depends on it. And, it is a directive directly from Jesus!
(3) However … and there is always a ‘however’ … hear yet another of His final words: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
While each day we live is one of grace, our lives will end and consequences of sinful living will be rewarded accordingly. Jesus described the final judgment in terms of sheep and goats. Both rewarded for what they did – or, did not do – when given the opportunity. Many were active in caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing for the homeless, taking time for the imprisoned. Heaven will be theirs because they allowed their faith to motivate them to use each day and every opportunity to do as Jesus directed. Others remained inactive, uninvolved, detached; the cost will be consequential for them.
Let’s end with this: a Sunday School teacher asked her students, “If I sold my house and car and had a big garage sale and gave all of my money to the church, would I go to heaven?” “No!” the class said loudly and firmly. “If I cleaned the church every day, moved the lawn, and kept everything neat, would I get into heaven?” “No!” the class almost shouted. “Well, then,” the teacher asked with a smile and wink, “how can I get into heaven?” A much-too wise boy shouted, “First you gotta die!”
OK, but before that day comes, we want to listen to the words of Jesus’ promises and put into practice His commands. Words matter; what we do with them matters even more. Amen.
