May 14, 2023

 

“Are we there yet?”

If you’ve ever road-tripped with kids, you’re familiar with the question. Jesus was familiar with this question, too. As he drew nearer to Jerusalem, anticipation was running high among the disciples that he was about to fulfill the messianic promises of the prophets and usher in the kingdom of God.

“He proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately (Luke 19:11).”

(Spoiler alert. The kingdom was not about to appear immediately.)

Jesus’ parable was to prepare them, and us, for a time of industrious waiting. In God’s plan, his kingdom will come through his disciples. We’ve been entrusted with a message and ministry of reconciliation, and “the Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth,” as the hymn goes. The words of the nobleman in this parable are early echoes of Jesus’ great commission before He ascended to the Father.

“Engage in business until I come.” (Luke 19:13)

As we await the return of the King, we’ve got our work cut out for us. This Sunday Kenny Clark will be preaching Luke 19:11-27 and Walt Harrah will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? Romans 12:11 is a great prompt for prayer. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Let’s ask the Lord to make this more and more true of us as we wait for the day when we’re finally “there.”

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!


SONG OF THE WEEK

Press On by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Now let the Word be scattered
Like the seed on the soil
Day by day, watch it grow in His care
And may you be a shelter
As you reach to the lost
Glad in hope, calm in pain, true in prayer