Come, Lord Jesus

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense with Me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

John 1:1-14; Revelation 22:12-13, 20

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The light of the life of Christ doesn’t just shine on those already dwelling in light. It comes to those “sitting in darkness” (Isaiah 42:7) and “waiting for consolation” (Luke 2:25). I think we can easily forget that as we move through pretty decorations, excited faces, and songs about “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The good news of Advent comes to those who need good news.

Have you replaced the light of the life of Christ - born, risen, and returning - with some other worldly light “that will be turned into darkness” (Joel 2:31) at Christ’s second coming? Have you made the holiday get-together, the vacation, or the peace and quiet after the festivities your hope? As the people of God, we have one hope: that we will dwell with our Lord in everlasting life and righteousness after He has wiped away every tear from every eye and abolished death, mourning, crying, and pain forever (Revelation 21:3).

So - if you are not blessed with suffering (Matthew 5:4) which prepares your heart for Advent this season - what should you do? How do you and I get or recapture Christ’s second Advent as our greatest hope? Well, just like we develop expectations for this Christmas by remembering past Christmases, we learn to look forward to Christ’s second Advent by looking back at His first Advent.

“We have seen His glory… full of grace and truth.” Do you remember Jesus’ glory which shone in His grace and truth? Do you remember how He healed everyone who ever came to Him or was brought to Him with a spiritual or physical illness, disability, or disease (Matthew 8:16-17)? Do you remember how He preached good news and guided the poor and the rich into the blessed Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 9:35-36)? Do you remember how He compassionately protected and delivered His followers from frightening and needy circumstances (Mark 4:39 & 6:42)? Do you remember how He forgave every sin someone repented of, and how He praised the people who were the most humbly honest about what horrific sinners they were (Luke 7:36-50)? Do you remember how He raised the dead and promised that whoever believes in Him will be raised to reign in eternal life with Him in the world to come (Luke 22:28-30 & John 11:23-26)?

Christ’s second coming will be the worst day of all time for those that are not waiting for Him (Matthew 25:1-13). But for those who are waiting for Jesus, His second Advent will be the best day of all time. All the heavenly things we’ve read about and gotten tastes of in this dim life will become our bright and forever-present reality. Every illness, disability, and disease will be healed, every question will be answered, every unjust situation will be judged and restored, every sin will be forgiven, and every dead body of every meek Christian will be raised to everlasting glory.

What a gospel! What a Savior. Hallelujah. Come, Lord Jesus!