June 23 - When We All Get to Heaven

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22,23; 1 Timothy 5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

If  we want to see how God’s judgment and mercy
come together, look to Jesus! 

If you’ve already read today’s passages you may be wondering where I found the inspiration for this title: “When We All Get To Heaven.” Forgive me, but it has more to do with a request from one of our residents than it does with today’s readings. Martha asked if we could sing this great hymn because she loves it, and because she longs for a better life in a better world. Well, after reading more about the sickening violence of pre-exilic Israel (“pre-exilic” means before they were taken into exile), I’m with Martha. In fact, I promised her we would sing her song in our next chapel!

In understanding God’s part in the violence of this era, we need to develop a perspective that embraces both God’s justice and His mercy. That’s not easy. Though we are created in His image, we are still far from understanding God’s ways. Our view is so finite, so limited to this world, this life, that we will never fully grasp his eternal plan. But in simple terms, God has the right to expect that His creation will honour Him and His commands. When we don’t obey the One who gave us life, we deserve and should expect death.

Often in history, the human condition deteriorated so much, God had to exact judgment. He intervened to postpone our eventual self-destruction, and to allow the time necessary for His plan of redemption. Throughout these times of judgment we see God’s mercy, especially when people responded with humility and repentance. In our New Testament reading we see His tender compassion for the widows, as one of many examples of a merciful God. Jesus was the clearest illustration of God’s judgment and mercy, in one moment clearing out the Temple money-changers with a whip and in another touching and healing unclean lepers.

“Lord, I am eternally grateful that Your judgment for me was poured out on Your Son, and that I have experienced first-hand Your great mercy. I do long for the day, though, when the time of judgment will be over and “we will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever!” (Psalms 89:1).