"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away....And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (From Revelation 21:1 & 4)
Titus 2:11 declares, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men," yes, "all men." This, "grace of God that brings salvation," is Jesus Christ, Who in His Blood, His Death, His resurrection, His Ascension to, "reign forever and ever," Alone insures our text. No death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain, all this is awaiting the person whose life is totally surrendered only to the One Who is, "the grace of God," Himself, Jesus Christ. But never forget the journey which made all this possible.
The journey of our Lord Jesus was really quite short, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, just a few miles. He went to Egypt to escape a death sentence. He lived in the Galilee growing up, working first as Joseph's apprentice, journeyman, then master carpenter, and during the years of teaching, healing, "going about doing good," training disciples, He traveled through the Galilee region----------------- but always, always toward Jerusalem.
Jesus was born to die. Man sees his own purpose quite differently. The purpose of life to man is that he is born, grows up, establishes a career, maybe gets married, has children, retires, then, and only then, and only because he has no choice, he dies. Jesus knew from the beginning, however, the Cross was before Him, even while He planed wood for a cabinet, even when the people, "....were about to come and take Him by force to make Him a king...," it was the Cross, always the Cross, "....He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem."
Because of Jesus' faithful journey, there is, "a new heaven and a new earth," awaiting you and me. Because of the Cross of Jesus there will be, "no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying,.. no more pain," the purpose of that journey so very long ago--------------- from Bethlehem to Jerusalem.
Another Advent Prayer: "Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the paths of Thine Only-begotten Son: that we may worthily serve Thee with hearts purified by His coming: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen."
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
