God Makes All Things Good
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:4-5a
One of the pastoral ministry experiences that was formative was the regular preaching at the worship service that the congregation I served hosted at the community nursing home. Every Sunday morning, approximately a hundred saints of God, in wheelchairs or behind walkers, would gather to find comfort in Christ and His Word. Understanding the needs of the hearers, I would consistently preach the promise of God making His saints new in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
The first Biblical narrative is that of creation. It is also a theme that is found throughout the Scriptures. In the beginning God created. In Christ’s return in glory, God makes all things new and paradise is restored. After God made all things and His creation was deemed as good, Adam and Eve fell into sin and were barred from paradise. Yet in the Revelation of St. John, God’s good creation is restored to its former perfection and God’s children are given access to the tree of life. Throughout the Scriptures, the student of God’s Word finds examples that hearken back to the creation account or look forward to the consummation of all things.
Many people long for a life that is free from trouble of any kind, from pain and suffering, where everything is perfect. The sad truth is that no matter what we do, we will never be able create such a life. But God has indeed promised us a life where there is everything is perfect. It is what awaits us in the resurrection on the last day. Creation is a narrative of Scripture that Christians need to reclaim because it is what informs the great hope of God recreating all things when Christ comes again in glory. This is central to our preaching and pastoral care. This is the hope that is promised in every baptism and that is received each time we receive the Lord’s Supper. Thanks be to God that through Christ Jesus, God the Father will make all things new, including giving to you a glorified body in paradise.
Prayer – O Almighty God, our Creator, You created all things good and You have promised to make all things new in the resurrection, grant us to live each day in that certain hope. Bless the preaching of Your Word and the care provided to Your saints that they would look forward to Christ’s return in glory with joy and expectation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan