The temporary triumph of evil
Reading for Tuesday March 22
Bible selection: gospel of Mark 6:13-29
The Bible selection today is ugly. There is no blessing in these words. Unlike the previous selections, there is nothing about justice or mercy. Only a disgusting story about a malicious woman, and a cruel ruler.
The contrast between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God is clearly shown by this story. Jesus lived a sinless life in a sinful world, and John who called hundreds to repentance became a victim of Herod’s refusal to repent. John was beheaded, Jesus was crucified and the men responsible were not punished. They lived on, apparently not suffering for their actions. The incriminating details were suppressed. The people over whom they exercised power, fearful of offending them, loudly applauded in public and secretly wished that God would do justice.
In the end God does do justice, at the very end when he comes to judge the earth. In the meantime he waits for people to repent: many do. To eradicate evil would mean eradicating the people who cannot give up their own personal use of evil; these people need to deceive, want to have revenge and intend to use power to control. A heaven where this is not possible does not appeal to them. There are others whose names have been written in the book of life and the law of God has been written in their hearts; these people will delight in justice, peace and righteousness.
Evil will be defeated on the last day, and God will overthrow all wicked people and powers. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our God” is how the Bible describes what will happen when God comes to judge the populations of the earth. Until that time, people will argue about what it means to be cast out of the presence of God, they will scornfully dismiss the Bible’s teaching that the unrepentant sinner will be eternally cut off from God, and eternally suffer. Until that time they will utterly despise the scripture that says everyone whose name is not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Like the wife of Herod they will scheme and plot to do away with anyone who tells them they have done wrong.
Until the time when God comes to live with his people we wait in hope and expectation. In the meantime, the waiting time, the Spirit of God and the people who have relied on Jesus for forgiveness invite anyone who wishes to take the free gift of God, the gift of eternal life.
Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:17
Bible selection: gospel of Mark 6:13-29
The Bible selection today is ugly. There is no blessing in these words. Unlike the previous selections, there is nothing about justice or mercy. Only a disgusting story about a malicious woman, and a cruel ruler.
The contrast between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God is clearly shown by this story. Jesus lived a sinless life in a sinful world, and John who called hundreds to repentance became a victim of Herod’s refusal to repent. John was beheaded, Jesus was crucified and the men responsible were not punished. They lived on, apparently not suffering for their actions. The incriminating details were suppressed. The people over whom they exercised power, fearful of offending them, loudly applauded in public and secretly wished that God would do justice.
In the end God does do justice, at the very end when he comes to judge the earth. In the meantime he waits for people to repent: many do. To eradicate evil would mean eradicating the people who cannot give up their own personal use of evil; these people need to deceive, want to have revenge and intend to use power to control. A heaven where this is not possible does not appeal to them. There are others whose names have been written in the book of life and the law of God has been written in their hearts; these people will delight in justice, peace and righteousness.
Evil will be defeated on the last day, and God will overthrow all wicked people and powers. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our God” is how the Bible describes what will happen when God comes to judge the populations of the earth. Until that time, people will argue about what it means to be cast out of the presence of God, they will scornfully dismiss the Bible’s teaching that the unrepentant sinner will be eternally cut off from God, and eternally suffer. Until that time they will utterly despise the scripture that says everyone whose name is not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Like the wife of Herod they will scheme and plot to do away with anyone who tells them they have done wrong.
Until the time when God comes to live with his people we wait in hope and expectation. In the meantime, the waiting time, the Spirit of God and the people who have relied on Jesus for forgiveness invite anyone who wishes to take the free gift of God, the gift of eternal life.
Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:17
posted by Jessie Coates at 1:05 AM
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