For many years, I have set hopes in the Cincinnati Reds to win another World Series. To be honest, I'd be happy with a victory in a playoff series, which has not happened since 1995 (the longest playoff victory drought in professional sports). Unfortunately, the Reds leadership is not very serious about winning, and so that drought will continue for the foreseeable future. To set my hopes in them is to set myself up for disappointment.
Jesus is warning us about where we set our hopes. The thought of Jerusalem under siege was heartbreaking to all, including Jesus (remember that he wept over the city). No one wants to see destruction, but Jesus is warning that it will come, and in 70 AD, the Romans proved him correct.
If our ultimate hopes are in mortal things, whether it is money or power or beauty or youth or sports teams or other people, we will end up disappointment. Destruction can come for all of it - while sin and death were defeated at the cross, they have not yet been fully vanquished, and will not be until Christ comes in fullness.
Our ultimate hope should be in something that is worthy of ultimate things, and is strong enough to bear that hope. Only Christ and his Kingdom can make that claim, and only Christ and his Kingdom have the strength, power, and wisdom to support that.
Choose wisely where you focus your thoughts and your loves, and order your life appropriately.
No comments:
Post a Comment