The Lord is Coming Back
(Week of 5/5/24)
Just as Mother’s Day falls on the calendar this year, my birthday was on Mother’s Day, May 12, at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. I recall so many of my birthdays, particularly those that fell on Mother’s Day, when Mom would remind me again of “our special Mother’s Day” in 1957. Fathers were not allowed in the delivery room back then, but there was someone very special with Mom and me. The Air Force nurse who first handed me to Mom was named Francis. She and Mom became life-long friends, staying in touch using Christmas Cards and other correspondence throughout the years of military transfers for Dad and Francis in their varying tours of duty around the country. After my mother’s death, Francis sent me a couple of pictures Mom had included in letters long ago of me growing up as a little boy. (How Francis found me, I’ll never know.) With the photos, Francis included a sweet note about the connection the three of us shared, and she called it “our special Mother’s Day” just like Mom would have said. Thinking of Mom and Francis and the enduring friendship they had is a memory I will always cherish. It brings me joy thinking of their reunion in heaven.
In speaking of His impending death and resurrection, Jesus said in John 17:21-22, “Whenever a woman is experiencing the pain of childbirth she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she remembers the anguish no more, for joy that a child has been born into the world. Therefore you, too, now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you.” Jesus kept His word, and He rose from the grave. The disciples’ grief did turn to joy when they again saw their risen Lord. They came to understand the true purpose of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection—salvation from sin and eternal life for everyone who believes. The disciples would rejoice, and no one would be able to rob them of that joy.
Where on earth is this Meadow Minute headed? How about this: Does it seem like a long time since Easter? This Mother’s Day weekend coming up marks forty days since we celebrated the Risen Christ on the front lawn of the church in our Sonrise Service. That’s how long Jesus spent with His disciples after His resurrection and before His ascension from the Mount of Olives. Forty days. How time must have flown by for them, too. After that, “He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
The Bible offers some amazing information given by angels. Here’s a few. “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” “Unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord…” “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” “He is not here. He is risen!” And on the Day of Ascension, marked on the calendar this year somewhere around Mother’s Day, was one of the greatest promises an angel ever declared. “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
I know the time of my reunion with Mom and Dad and Francis and so many others is as certain as my Savior’s love for me. Jesus is coming for me, or I will go to Him! God keeps His promises. You can trust Him. Receive Christ!
Grace,
Tom