DAILY READING
REFLECTION
An Invitation to the Unexpected and Impossible
by Mary Alice McGinnis
Suppose you were to get a last-minute call from a friend who said,
“Hey, I know this is short notice, but I am on my way over to your house right now. I will be there in a few minutes.”
Now suppose this was, not a friend, but someone in authority. Or someone whom you hold in high regard. How does that change things?
What type of reaction would you have? Does it send a chill down your spine?
“I am not prepared!!
I haven’t even had my shower yet today.
My house is not clean.
What will they see from my day-to-day life that will reveal things about me that I am not proud of? What will they think of me? Will they judge me?”
In the beginning of today’s passage, Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon!”
The first word “look” can also be translated as “BEHOLD.” Behold has more of a connotation of joyful exuberance or vivacity. It seems to say, “I have something entirely unexpected and utterly impossible to share with you. So, pay attention! Listen up!”
But Jesus' next words play into our worst fear, “My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
I feel my soul thrashing and twisting at these words! What is it that I truly deserve? When He comes, will He find me lacking, insufficient, broken, and less than all I was created to be?
Jesus is the is the Alpha and Omega who knows everything about everything - including everything about me. From Him no secrets can be hidden.
So, why this exuberant invitation to “BEHOLD” Jesus and His coming?
Jesus invites us to embrace the unexpected. Jesus invites us to hold on to the hope of the impossible.
Throughout the Scripture we hear story after story of those who were given God’s covenant. They were often stubbornly wayward, predisposed to unfaithfulness, and dreadfully unworthy.
This is our story too, isn’t it?
Though we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. He comes for us anyway! The reward in store for us was purchased at an extremely high price.
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14b)
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”
Unlike after the fall of Adam and Eve who were banished from the Garden of Eden, as Christ’s redeemed Bride, we are clothed beautifully in radiant white garments washed in the blood of the ONLY perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ. As His betrothed, we are granted FULL rights to the tree of life and all the life-giving abundance that flows from His dwelling place.
Being washed clean and given the unexpected, impossible, undeserved reward of abundant provision from the tree of life, fed by the water of life,
our heart can confidently cry out:
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)
PRAYER PRACTICE
Bring your heart to God in prayer in these next few moments.
Where is your heart fearful right now? Where is this unpredictable dry wilderness of life leaving you feeling thirsty? Where do your deepest desires seem to be going unmet? Where do you feel the nudging of God to "Come?" What is causing you to hesitate?
Bring your heart to Jesus. Ask Him to come! Allow Him to surprise you with His faithfulness. Let Him soothe your weariness, calm your fears, take you into His embrace.
Whatever seems impossible, put in the hands of the Alpha and Omega. Ask God to pour over your heart the assurance of His abundance, because of Jesus. His love for you will always be more than you could ever ask or imagine.
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