Revelation! Talk about a book of the Bible that has people guessing. This week let's focus on this book that has generated so much talk and hype.
First of all, this book is not a text one should read literally. It is a book of revelations---yes, some of it can be said to have been based on historic events and places(the destruction of Jerusalem and the city of Rome, for example), but it isn't only an historic text.
And yes, it is certainly written to reveal truths to us---to give us a hopeful vision into how things could turn out---but not in such a way that we can predict when and where things happen.
And it is definitely apocalyptic. The Jewish people believed in an apocalypse---that when the Messiah came, one way of living would end and another begin. As Christians, we believe this too. But, for us, we are called to recognize that we are to be agents into this new way of living---our actions (empowered by the Holy Spirit) bringing God's Kingdom to life in this realm.
"To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom...." (Revelation 1:5-6)
In this revelation, Jesus speaks to us:
"I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance....I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name....But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first....." (Revelation 2:2-4)
Today we are invited to ponder how we have abandoned the love...the love we felt when we first became enthralled with Jesus. The litte details of the day can drag us down. We get tired of being patient; tolerance can exhaust us; generosity can deplete us; kindness and compassion have a way of wearying us.
We must remember what Jesus did to endure these toils and taxes on him. He prayed. He sought time with God. He went away. He replenished himself.
We have been granted the gift of a community who can bear our burdens with us; a community who will dive into Scripture with us; a community who will pray with and for us.
We have been given the well of living water and Spirit in the form of Sacraments.
We have the luxury of free will-----so we can choose how to schedule our time and to choose to make time to sit at the feet of God, our Creator.
God knows we will all fall short. Falling short is not the problem. Choosing not to be replenished so we can continue on in the works of Jesus is the issue. How will you be renewed today?
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