The season of Lent is nearly upon us. During Lent, as I recall Jesus’ journey to the cross and anticipate Jesus’ rising on Easter Sunday, I pray for Jesus coming among us again. Do you? Perhaps before dinner you, as I so often do, pray the familiar table prayer: “Come Lord Jesus be our guest and let these gifts to us be blest.” We pray that Jesus will be present in our hearts. We pray that Jesus will remain present in our lives. We pray we will wisely use the gifts which God blesses us.
Throughout scriptures God interacts with humanity. In the Book of Revelation God is identified as the one “who is, who was, and who is to come.” And throughout the church year we continually proclaim that God in Christ is coming again.
Of course, there is no one-way interaction in a healthy relationship…and that is so with our relationship with God as well. Throughout the Book of Revelation God calls all of us to return to God’s-self. The author of Revelation, John, writes that God implores, “See I am coming soon!” not once but twice. “See I am coming soon!” And then John reminds us again that we are invited to return to a loving relationship with the Triune God when in chapter 22 it is written, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
As faithful children of God, how can we but reply “’Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Friends, throughout life we celebrate being in relationship with our loving and merciful God. During the Season of Lent we prepare for the death and resurrection of our Lord. Indeed, we call for Christ to rise within us.
Christ’s Peace, Pastor Steve