Scripture: Revelation 7:15-17
They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center before the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Thought for the Day: “Revelation” was written at a time of (or shortly after) intense persecution. Followers of Jesus—both Jews and Gentiles, were being murdered in horrendous ways and chased out of Rome by torch-wielding, pitchfork thrusting mobs. Think about the final scenes of the classic movie “Frankenstein” and you get the idea. These refugees, like believers throughout history, once again found themselves without shelter or food. They had to serve each other to keep the community alive.
This passage of "Revelation" isn’t about some distant future where Jesus comes back to pick the true believers and grant all their wishes. It’s about an incredibly tumultuous, dangerous, difficult life here and now. The vision presented in “Revelation” is about our responsibility as followers of Jesus and believers in an eternal presence to serve each other. It’s our job to make sure every human on the planet has food and shelter. We are to be Jesus’ social workers for justice, doing what we can to keep humanity from perishing by its own hands. No act of kindness is too small. No tent is too tattered. God loves us all, unconditionally. As beings created from God’s image, it’s our duty to keep everyone warm and fed through these cold, dark nights of the soul.
Meditation (repeat as needed): I follow Jesus to work for the good of humankind, as Jesus worked for the good of humankind. Make me an instrument of love. Give me the resources and talent I need to help others on their long journey out of terror and into the loving arms of God. Amen.
They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center before the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Thought for the Day: “Revelation” was written at a time of (or shortly after) intense persecution. Followers of Jesus—both Jews and Gentiles, were being murdered in horrendous ways and chased out of Rome by torch-wielding, pitchfork thrusting mobs. Think about the final scenes of the classic movie “Frankenstein” and you get the idea. These refugees, like believers throughout history, once again found themselves without shelter or food. They had to serve each other to keep the community alive.
This passage of "Revelation" isn’t about some distant future where Jesus comes back to pick the true believers and grant all their wishes. It’s about an incredibly tumultuous, dangerous, difficult life here and now. The vision presented in “Revelation” is about our responsibility as followers of Jesus and believers in an eternal presence to serve each other. It’s our job to make sure every human on the planet has food and shelter. We are to be Jesus’ social workers for justice, doing what we can to keep humanity from perishing by its own hands. No act of kindness is too small. No tent is too tattered. God loves us all, unconditionally. As beings created from God’s image, it’s our duty to keep everyone warm and fed through these cold, dark nights of the soul.
Meditation (repeat as needed): I follow Jesus to work for the good of humankind, as Jesus worked for the good of humankind. Make me an instrument of love. Give me the resources and talent I need to help others on their long journey out of terror and into the loving arms of God. Amen.
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