Redemption Draws Near

It is ironic the scribes and Pharisees who were educated and knowledgeable concerning the scriptures, having their eyes opened to the wonder of God in His word, were blinded with unbelief concerning Jesus the Son of God.  When wise men came to Jerusalem from the east at the appearance of the star of the King of the Jews, Herod called the chief priests and demanded where the Christ should be born.  They correctly answered He would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah, yet did not care to accompany the Gentile wise men to worship the babe who turned out to be Jesus Christ our LORD.  The wise men rejoiced with exceedingly great joy while the Herod, the chief priests and all Jerusalem were troubled.

Ironic responses are not limited to the Jewish rulers of ancient times, of course.  I have seen this play out in my own life and in the lives of other believers.  Having gained knowledge of God, His will and future events outlined in scripture, the most discerning believers can lose sight of our Saviour who redeems us, provides perfect peace and rest for our souls.  I don't know if it was the era, my church in particular or the teaching I was exposed to as a youth or just me, but for an extended season I was quite preoccupied with end-times events:  the rapture, the rise of the anti-christ, the mark of the beast, the advance of a one-world government and global currency.  It seemed if there was any news regarding world leaders gathering together at conferences it confirmed we were truly in the last days.  When earthquakes, wars and rumours of wars began to swirl, it again fed into a paranoia that led Christians to speculate about prophetic passages and worry about what was next as we hunkered down defensively.  Knowledge of prophesy grew to be an unhealthy obsession as, from a biblical perspective, the attention of many was turned from Jesus who we follow and instead focused on the wind and waves.  "As bad as things are, it's going to get worse," we would assure one another--as if knowing this made things better.

In response to questions from His disciples, Jesus spoke of future events yet to come.  Jesus warned them about falling prey to false messiahs who would claim the time of the end was near when it was not.  Nations would rise against nation and there would be famine, earthquakes and pestilence.  Believers would be persecuted, killed and brought before rulers and would be given opportunity to testify of Christ.  Jesus continued in Luke 21:25-28:  "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; ²⁶ men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. ²⁷ Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  Wise is the one who discerns the signs of the times, but we can be foolish to have hearts that fail us when we ought to look up and lift up our heads because our redemption draws nigh.  Ironic, isn't it, that the redeemed of the LORD can faint when we know our Redeemer lives and we will one day see Him in glory?  We are not to fear the shaking of the earth and the powers of heaven when our eyes are on the Son of Man Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour who will redeem us.

When faced with the departure of Jesus before His crucifixion the disciples were sorrowful, and Jesus assured them in John 16:22, "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."  Jesus followed up in John 16:32-33:  "Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  In a world full of conflict that longs for peace, Jesus provides peace even in tribulation.  He would be soon abandoned by frightened disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, yet He was not alone because God the Father was with Him.  Jesus told of future conflicts, separation and tribulation not so they would steel their minds and bodies to fight against it, but to be joyful because He has overcome the world.  The powerful forces of spiritual wickedness and humanity were not neutralised but already conquered by His glorious power and strength.

Instead of worrying how our little world or the whole world is spinning out of control, we are to lift our eyes and heads because we know our redemption draws near.  We have been given joy by faith in Jesus nothing can rob from us because our Saviour Jesus has overcome.  God forbid we should rejoice in the news of devastating wars, earthquakes, pestilence or persecution of believers, yet these are not harbingers of doom to be dreaded:  they are signs and reminders our redemption draws closer with every passing day.  Lift up your head, believer, and turn your eyes to Jesus with joy today, our Redeemer who has purchased us as His own with His own blood on Calvary.  The Man of sorrows who suffered for us has spoken to us and provided peace and joy in the knowledge of Him we can rest in today and always.