TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
Read: Revelation 21:1-5
Listen: Revelation 21
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Illness and death are all around. It is no different in Jesus’s time; crowds swell around him because of his healing power. On one occasion, four friends hack open a roof to lower their paralyzed friend on a cot down to Jesus. The house is so full they can’t get in the door (Mark 2:1-12). Jesus’s healing demonstrates his compassion and power as he heals the frailest members of society.
Though Jesus came to restore, it is clear he didn’t finish the job. Jesus’s ministry was for the here and now AND for what is coming. His healing ministry previews what life will be like in God’s kingdom. Like a sample in a grocery store—it gives a taste. It should cause us to hunger for more.
When Jesus heals a lame man, restoring his ability to walk and work, it is a “taste” that everyone will be able to walk and work in the new heaven and new earth. But, no matter how pleasant things are on any given day, we can wonder if this is all there is. We sense something is missing. And on the most challenging days, we hope something better will come. The good news is that through Jesus, there is so much more to come. One day, he will make all things new (Revelation 21:5). As we follow him, we begin to sample the complete restoration to come.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
As we experience the healing work of Jesus in our lives, we can bring his healing to others. People all around us have physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Through your actions, you have the choice to be a healer or to make things worse. Ask yourself the tough question: Do you heal or break? Ask God to show you ways you can be a healer to those around you.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
April is CONFESSION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
