Author: Brian Burdett

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” – John 17:24

What a profoundly encouraging thought! If you’re a follower of Christ, He desires you to be with Him. Even as He reigns in heaven, He’s looking forward to your presence with Him so you can see Him face-to-face in His glory.

All Christ-followers have important work to do for God’s Kingdom here on earth. We mustn’t look past that too often and neglect the work prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). While we do that work, we’re encouraged that Christ is with us, but we’re also encouraged to know that Jesus is eagerly looking forward to the day when we’re with Him in heaven, beholding His eternal glory.

We aren’t a burden or afterthought to Jesus. We are desired, invited, welcomed companions of His for all eternity! Delight in this reality.

“Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’” – John 18:37-38

It turns out that post-modern questions about the nature and existence of truth aren’t new! 2000 years ago, Pontius Pilate sought to escape an uncomfortable conversation with Jesus by asking “What is truth?”

The answer is Jesus Himself, but He acknowledges that that answer won’t appeal to everyone. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, but not everyone really wants to encounter and embrace truth, preferring endless debate instead. Jesus speaks to the truth of God, His holiness, His justice, His judgment, His love, His mercy and His grace. Jesus speaks the truth that sets us free from sin and death.

There will always be those more interested in arguments than answers, and more excited about rhetorical tricks than actual truths. Jesus tells us this. We grieve for them, we seek to persuade them, but until they’re ready to seriously engage with truth, there’s only so much we can say or do.

We must be careful ourselves. The reality of our truth-starved/denying culture can easily distract and discourage us from listening to the truth of Jesus. We must remain focused on His truth rather than the diversions and distractions of a world desperate to avoid confronting the truth of sin, judgment, and salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone.

“Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:32-33

No, Jesus wasn’t talking about COVID-19! Nonetheless what He said certainly applies as we remain largely scattered in our homes. In this world tribulation is normal, expected, and guaranteed, because this is a fallen world.

Today we’re reminded of just how fallen it is and just how common tribulation is throughout history. On Memorial Day, as we honor those who’ve fallen in the wars of the past two and a half centuries, we’re reminded of war’s terrible cost and brutal frequency. In this world, we have tribulation – some generations see more, some less, but all experience various forms of tribulation.

However, we have hope in Jesus Christ. One day, war will be no more. One day, disease and death will be no more. Why? Because Jesus defeated the temptations of the world and crushed the evil powers of the world on the cross. By His death and resurrection, He assured us of the final outcome of history: His victorious return, the utter defeat of all evil, the renewal of the earth, and joyous eternity for His followers in that renewed earth.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

Today begins Memorial Day weekend and it looks to be a gorgeous one in Northern Virginia. In recent years, Memorial Day has largely become synonymous with the “start of summer”, a three-day festival of pools, picnics, and parties to kick off the frivolity and fun of the summer months.

Things are different in 2020. This year is easily the strangest Memorial Day weekend in recent decades: pools are closed, parties are largely cancelled, and even picnics are small and anxious things. While we may lament their absence, this strange season provides an opportunity to refocus on the true meaning of Memorial Day.

In the United States, Memorial Day is when we’re called to remember and honor all those who’ve given their lives in defense of this nation (more than 1 million men and women since the Revolutionary War). For Christians we understand that freedom comes at a terrible cost: our freedom from slavery to sin and death was bought with the shed blood of our crucified Savior Jesus Christ. Likewise for those who enjoy the freedoms and blessings of life in the United States – these freedoms also came at a terrible cost. Throughout American history, men and women have laid down their lives for their friends, family members, neighbors, nation, and countless future generations.

May this unusually quiet Memorial Day weekend be an opportunity to reflect and give thanks to God for those who have given, “the last full measure of devotion.”

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

Note what this is: a commandment from Jesus. Not a suggestion. Not encouragement. Not advice. Not instruction. Not an idea. A commandment. Same as the Ten Commandments.

What must we do? Love each other JUST as Jesus has loved us. At the moment He said this, Jesus had just finished washing His disciples’ feet. Soon Jesus would die for them and us. Those are the parameters revealing how we are to love each other. We’re to freely and willingly and extravagantly love our brothers and sisters in Christ not just in the abstract, but by action. We’re not just to love with kind words and positive thoughts but with humiliating and painful acts of service and sacrifice.

In general, Christians in North America are pretty poor at this. We like each other and help each other, but too often our pride, preferences, opinions, and need for power take priority in the day to day. It can’t be this way. It’s rebellion against King Jesus. We can certainly disagree about things, but any time we fight and feud over matters of taste and preference, or let personal slights, past mistakes, and petty insults divide us from other Christians, we’re disobeying Christ.

We must willingly and readily set down preferences, pride, and position to love each other all day, every day. This isn’t optional for Christians, it’s a commandment from our Lord. This is supposed to be the thing that catches the world’s attention and lets them know we’re different because we follow Jesus. We must be famous for our love, unity, and mutual sacrifice and submission to one another. May it be so!