By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

A Temporary Table

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Jesus’ words)
Mark 13:31 New International Version

The joys of life fade quickly….

Have you ever looked back at happy family times in the past and felt the grief of times of joy that are no more?  Looking at this picnic at the beach makes me think of a wonderful day filled with happiness and family and love… and that is no more.  Even the “table” we set up on that sunny beach was temporary and within a few hours of our picnic, no one could tell we had ever been there.  How sad!  How quickly the joys of life pass away!

Jesus told us that everything is temporary, that it all passes away, even the very heaven and earth upon which we depend for life.  We do not want this to happen, that all things would pass away.  We want the times of joy and love and rest to last forever.  But they do not.  All that we know and appreciate is passing away and being in denial about that fact does not change the grief that accompanies loss.

What shall we depend upon then?  If all of life is passing away, if all that we have is only temporary, how shall we have hope in this world?  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” In the middle of a changing world, Jesus’ words are true and eternal and unchanging.  Listen to His words: “I will come again and take you to be with Me.”  “I am going to prepare a place for you.”  “Whoever believes in Me will not perish, but will have eternal life.”  “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  “Come to Me, and I will give you rest.”

Life is temporary and fading away.  But Jesus’ words will never pass away.  Hallelujah!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado