He Makes All Things Right
Have you ever stopped and thought about the tension between the promises of Jesus and the reality of our world? Jesus is the Savior of the world, the King of all Kings, and the very presence of God among creation and yet following his death and resurrection the world is still suffering. Many people ask me why.
If Jesus was really who he said he was then why are we still living in a world where the innocent hurt, the sick die, and the hungry go without food and shelter. I think this is a reasonable question. In the midst of such tension I live with a deep conviction that God is in the business of making all things right. God is committed to taking this broken, hurting, and confused world and bringing healing and restoration.
If you read through the New Testament you will find testimony after testimony of Jesus restoring the health of the sick, the sight of the blind, and the hope of the hopeless. Outside of Jesus’ great compassion and grace what else do these miracles teach us about Jesus and His mission?
“Pay close attention now: I’m creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I’m creating: I’ll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, create my people as pure delight. I’ll take joy in Jerusalem, take delight in my people: No more sounds of weeping in the city, no cries of anguish; No more babies dying in the cradle, or old people who don’t enjoy a full lifetime; One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal—anything less will seem like a cheat.” [ISAIAH 65:17-20]
When Jesus touched the broken, fed the hungry, cured disease, and cast out demons he was bringing the new kingdom of God to earth. In all of the healing recorded in the New Testament we learn a little bit about what the earth will be like when Jesus makes all things right. When people were healed their frowns were transformed to smiles. When the deaf received the gift of healing they experienced the beauty of music, tones, voices, birds, invention, and life. I imagine as the man lowered into the presence of Jesus through a roof top gained the use of his legs he danced, ran, and jumped with a new spirit about life.
In the scriptures there is a common theme - the broken are restored. The coming of Jesus makes all things right. Jesus restores the world.
We live in a broken world today because of the presence of evil. Jesus introduced the Kingdom of God and restoration of all things and yet his work is not yet completed. We have been invited into the kingdom of God and experience many of the benefits today yet we still live in a world that is awaiting the final scene.
“The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead.” [ROMANS 8:19-20]
Our future is secure and guarantees a life free from the pain, dysfunction, and chaos of our current reality. Jesus’ life is proof to what is to come. Every miracle Jesus performed builds our confidence of a time when all things are made right and life as God intended is restored.
“My journey today will bring me closer to home; it may be just around the bend. All we long for, we shall have; all we long to be, we will be. All that has hurt us so deeply will be swept away.” [ELDREDGE]
I guess we have two choices as we live in this tension of the kingdom of God being here now and yet to come. One, we join Jesus in his kingdom work and life. Two, we focus our attention inward and utilize everything the world offers to ease the pain the tension creates.
I choose to join Jesus in bringing the reality of the kingdom of God to earth HERE AND NOW. The work is not yet finished and He has chosen you and I to be the hand and feet of God to the people of our world.
Join Him…
