The Day is Drawing Near!
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, but those who have practiced evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:28–29)
John tells us that the Jews began to persecute Jesus early on in his ministry because he miraculously healed people on the Sabbath. They were angry that he also called God his Father, making himself equal with God. But Jesus had an answer for them. He warns them that God has given the Son of God authority to judge all people, and a day is coming when they will see this with their own eyes. The dead will be raised to life and come out of their graves. Those who have listened to the voice of the Son will be raised to life. Those who listen to the voice of the Son are those who do good because of their faith.
That day is still coming. But it will come like a thief in the night. We do not know when it will come, but we will know when it is here. And those who have fallen asleep will be raised from the dead. They will come out of their graves and all people will witness it. Believers will be welcomed into eternal life because of their faith in Jesus. Through this faith, we are able to do good deeds that please our heavenly Father. But for those who do not have this faith, even their best deeds are evil in God’s sight. And Jesus warns that they will rise to enter eternal condemnation and shame. Therefore, we want to share our faith with as many people as we can, so that they may enter eternal life with us. Amen.
The song for today is “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin