We close out the Easter season with a plea. We’re back in St John’s Revelation to hear the two-fold cry of the saints in glory! First they direct the church to her Victorious Lord. Finally they call on Jesus to return and end the world. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Jesus is our VICTORIOUS King, but he doesn’t always look that way. Ascension is a unique holiday because as one of the three great historical festivals of the ancient church it was a highlight of year. Ascension is the coronation of our VICTORIOUS King!
Our Good Shepherd is the VICTORIOUS Shepherd. And on this Good Shepherd Sunday as we consider all that our God provides for us.
In St. John’s Revelation we hear the distant triumph song of our God. Christ is not just our king, he is the king of the universe. In this sermon we looked at Christ’s crown, his conquest, and his return on the Last Day.
It doesn’t take very long before we get tired. We are tired physically, running ragged on our frantic American rat race to nowhere. We are tired emotionally. This is especially dangerous because too many of us go looking for rest in physically harmful ways – like drugs or alcohol. Finally, we as a nation are spiritually exhausted because precious few know that Jesus is the only place to find rest for our weary souls.
What does the church look like? You might be thinking it’s a little underwhelming in this world. Splintered and limping, the Christ’s church on earth doesn’t have the outward glory pictured in heaven. God’s glory is there! St. John’s Revelation helps us see it!