Jesus told parables to teach the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. One of my favorites, told in Matthew 25 tells of servants who kept the master’s property, some merely maintaining it, not increasing its wealth, and another who invested and worked and doubled the masters’ profits. Then comes a verse, often quoted at memorial services out of context which says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”
The rewards of serving Christ are often not material ones, but the satisfaction of advancing the kingdom through our relationships, through serving others, and through faithfulness to The Way. We can never “earn” our way to heaven, but we don’t need to. God does not “need” us to advance His kingdom. It will happen because He is God. His will is going to be done, sometimes in spite of our puny efforts which can easily turn into legalistic definitions of man’s own making.
That said, this parable serves another purpose. It teaches that there indeed is work to be done. In today’s “My Psalm: This Side of the Cross,” I address the very real question of eternity. Some of my friends, dear Christian ladies, have lost their husbands this year to death. They miss them terribly, especially at this holiday time. But I believe, as do they, that their loved ones are with Jesus, and the Feast of the Lamb will be extraordinarily sweet for them.
To Dee, Anne, Joyce, and Pearl (sorry, I don’t have your new address to send this to you, or to Marilyn, two who have moved to other communities) I dedicate this poem, “My Psalm 355. And to Pam, Rachelle, Barbara, Kay, and others who still mourn their husbands, I love you and know you believe as I do, that there is more to life that times of sorrow and tears. One day there will be no mourning, no tears, and complete peace because of Jesus and Easter.
To my dear friends, in sympathy,
who will celebrate Easter missing their husbands,
I hope this will bring you comfort.
Almighty Father, Strong to Save,
Lover of my soul and those I love,
I praise Your Name now and forever.
For you have granted my soul peace
And that peace passes all understanding,
Even when this life becomes almost more
Than my feeble, mortal being can endure.
When troubles arrive,
When faith dwindles,
When I lost my footing I thought was secure,
When I search for the unattainable
And struggle to achieve on my own,
I discover my frailty.
When I face loss, severe loss
That of a friend, a lover, a soulmate
And death separates us for a time,
I wonder aloud and silently,
“How can I go on?”
When I see world struggles
Of war, injustice, poverty, evil
I pray that mountains will move
Yet they stand impervious,
I can grow discouraged.
When I see hope vanish
Right before my eyes
Like clouds or puffs of smoke,
It seems all too fragile
Until I remember to pray.
There you meet me
At my very time of greatest need
As I sit, waiting for your word to appear
It comes in a still small voice.
Or some Godincidence suddenly occurs
When you open my heart’s eyes wide
To feel Your touch, Your comfort, Your glory
Warming my soul-sense once more.
Because of Easter
I can always rejoice
That even in sorrow and pain
You’ve won the battle
And paid the price
So I can see hope’s face again.
I can know without doubt
My soul is secure
I understand where my loved ones reside
They’re safe for the time it takes me to join
The heavenly Easter parade.
The triumphal entry to heaven’s final home
Is assured by Christ’s sacrifice
And the clouds of witnesses who have gone on before
Will one day welcome us home.
I’m thankful beyond earth’s vision
That my faith walk can sometimes be feeble
But God restores my soul’s walk
To stride with strength
Knowing He’s holding my hand.
I can face tomorrow, I can face today,
Whatever else comes on the horizon
Because Jesus bore our sins and our shortfalls
And strengthened us for His kingdom’s cause.
Perhaps today we can lighten the load
Of another pilgrim needing our comfort
And share the good word that God indeed cares
And provides whatever we need.
Hallelujah, Hosanna, we sing with loud voice
For the battle is won, no need to fear
Christ overcame the world and its troubles
And we have that message to share. Amen.
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