By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

What Will Not Pass Away?

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“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Matthew 24:35 New International Version

All of my life I have arisen in the morning and greeted the new day by looking out at Mount Hood above the Willamette Valley and saying, “Good morning, old friend.” The mountain was a symbol that never went away, was always there (as long as there were no clouds obscuring it). I could depend on my mountain; there was hope for another day.

But mountains are not forever, as evidenced by the eruption and leveling of Mount Saint Helens, a sister mountain of Hood. And if the mountains are not forever, surely neither am I. What can I, a mortal who lives but a few short years, count on?

David, in Psalm 121 says, “I shall lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Jesus says it best, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” No matter what happens to this earth, no matter what happens to these mountains, no matter what happens to me, God’s Word, His promises will never pass away. He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Although you may suffer much loss and lose friends and loved ones, although you may lose your health and struggle in pain, no matter if you lose your livelihood and savings, even if all these pass away, God’s Word will not pass away. God’s promise to us in Christ Jesus will not change. His answer to us in the midst of loss is always “yes!” in Christ Jesus.

No matter what this year has been for you in suffering or loss, Christ Jesus’s words ring true in Matthew 11, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Even if the mountains are destroyed, Jesus’ word is still true for you.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado