Like me, I expect the last couple of months have probably been for you a time of anxiety, sadness, anger and fear all rolled into one. September 11th 2001 will be indelibly etched in our memories, and the awful images of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsing with thousands still trapped inside will haunt the memories of all of us who saw it for the rest of our lives.
Yet across the world the suffering and horror that have been an everyday part of life for millions go on unchanged. Afghanistan, already suffering under civil war, drought and oppressive government again faces outside attack, while in Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, wars still rage with little or no sign of relief (although as I write there is some glimmer of hope for peace in the Congo). Israel remains strife ridden, Kashmir looks set to explode into conflict again and two thirds of the world continue to live in grinding poverty.
If ever a world needed Good News, it is this one! I was recently reminded of Matthew 24: 1 - 14. The disciples, in awe of the Temple, point out its wonders to Jesus who then prophesies its destruction, warning the disciples that there will be wars, famines, false prophets and many claiming to be the Christ. There will be many who will turn from God, there will be anarchy and chaos, and the faithful will face persecution. However, despite all these dire warnings, He urges the disciples' hearts not to be troubled (v6). These events are but the birth pangs of the Kingdom of God.
So, what are we to do? Sit back and feel all is ultimately to be all right, no matter how awful events actually are? By no means - the clue is in verse 14 where we are told that 'this Good News of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world'. The Good News is that the Kingdom is not just at the end of time, but starts here and now, it is 'at hand' (Mark 1: 15); God has already opened the door for us to be His children through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are commissioned to take that Good News to the world - whether it is in our workplace, our school or college, our street or tower block, or whether it is to go to the ends of the Earth. We are not just to preach Good News, but be Good News - caring for the hungry and thirsty, the foreigner and the refugee, the naked and dispossessed, the sick and disabled (Matthew 25: 31 - 46).
If, as some are saying, the events of September 11th were a wake up call, then this is the truth and the calling to which we should be waking up.
Yet across the world the suffering and horror that have been an everyday part of life for millions go on unchanged. Afghanistan, already suffering under civil war, drought and oppressive government again faces outside attack, while in Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, wars still rage with little or no sign of relief (although as I write there is some glimmer of hope for peace in the Congo). Israel remains strife ridden, Kashmir looks set to explode into conflict again and two thirds of the world continue to live in grinding poverty.
If ever a world needed Good News, it is this one! I was recently reminded of Matthew 24: 1 - 14. The disciples, in awe of the Temple, point out its wonders to Jesus who then prophesies its destruction, warning the disciples that there will be wars, famines, false prophets and many claiming to be the Christ. There will be many who will turn from God, there will be anarchy and chaos, and the faithful will face persecution. However, despite all these dire warnings, He urges the disciples' hearts not to be troubled (v6). These events are but the birth pangs of the Kingdom of God.
So, what are we to do? Sit back and feel all is ultimately to be all right, no matter how awful events actually are? By no means - the clue is in verse 14 where we are told that 'this Good News of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world'. The Good News is that the Kingdom is not just at the end of time, but starts here and now, it is 'at hand' (Mark 1: 15); God has already opened the door for us to be His children through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are commissioned to take that Good News to the world - whether it is in our workplace, our school or college, our street or tower block, or whether it is to go to the ends of the Earth. We are not just to preach Good News, but be Good News - caring for the hungry and thirsty, the foreigner and the refugee, the naked and dispossessed, the sick and disabled (Matthew 25: 31 - 46).
If, as some are saying, the events of September 11th were a wake up call, then this is the truth and the calling to which we should be waking up.
