James Duff July 27th 2014 ~ Come Lord Jesus

This week I have deeply wrestled with and struggled to get my mind around the hate, revenge and terror that seem to have engulfed large parts of the world. Israel and Palestine continue their fruitless killing carnage of each other. Christians were warned in northern Iraq by extreme Muslims to convert to Islam or be taken by the sword. This resulted in an 1800-year-old church being destroyed, Christian families obliterated and countless others fleeing Iraq with literally nothing but the clothes on their back. Then we read, watched and witnessed the horror of the MH17 tragedy. The reverberations from this wave of tragedy have come crashing onto the shores of Australia, leaving many families and friends experiencing intense mourning.  Our politicians on both sides are trying to make sense of it, expressing dismay, empathy and calling for justice. This morning on the front page of the West Australian newspaper, the timeless truth of Jesus’ teaching to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you is splashed across the paper as a headline “Love, Not Hate”.  This is followed by a heart-wrenching statement from Anthony Maslin and Marite Norris who lost their three children Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8 and grandfather Nick Norris, passengers aboard the ill-fated MH17 flight.  They write: “We no longer have lives that we want to live by ourselves. So we’d like to take the chance to thank everyone, all our incredible friends, family and communities, and to tell you all that we love you very much.”  Their statement poignantly reveals their heart and love for their now lost family.  When I look at the photo of the Maslin children I see faces of innocence, of a carefree existence, joy, unity and life that is impossible to describe in words.  I was struck by the tone of grace used and the thankfulness they have for their extended family, who, since the tragedy, have surrounded them with an expression of love that is “keeping them alive”. Wow! This is coming from a loving family who has been brought to their knees. Please pray for them. What about the church? What light can Christians shine on this? We are not made to live our lives on our own. Our extended social networks are very important, as the Maslin family point out after losing what they held so rightfully dear. I have experienced incredible friends, family and community at St Philips. I have also heard many times of your love for each other through good and trying times. But even this can be taken from us, then what? Often it takes until we have lost nearly everything to realize how flimsy our lives are and how much we are in need of love and hope that can’t be taken from us. World leading apologist Ravi Zacharias says boldly that “there is no hope for humanity outside of Jesus Christ”.  Many in the New Testament, including Jesus himself, echo this sentiment. Last night around our evening meal we read the famous words of Peter in the book of Acts; “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” There is no way of reversing the tragedy that has struck this gorgeous family, but we can stand with them. The Maslins are quick to point out that no killing, no revenge, no hate will change the situation. I totally agree with them. I run the risk here of being seen as the Christian minister who has the Band-Aid, the quick answer to such an awful situation. I hope you don’t see it like that; instead, see Jesus. Even in the midst of the worst tragedy we will ever face in this world, Jesus says he is enough to get us through. By being enough for us, the result is a deep joy for those who trust in him. It is not a promise of happiness, for this emotion is fleeting, but of joy which is more like hope than happiness. Jesus promises in the world to come that justice and peace will reign. Can I encourage us all to stand firm and hold to this certainty that come from the lips of the Saviour of the world: “Yes, I am coming soon.”  Come Lord Jesus! James