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Revelations 22.21 (NIV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
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| No matter how we interpret or define grace, it starts and ends with Jesus Christ.* |
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With
all the dark and mysterious images in the book of Revelations, it’s hard to
know for sure the tone of John’s closing. “May God have mercy on your soul,” has
a similar ring to it but has ominous undertones. It seems that John is delivering
a gracious benediction directed at the seven churches to whom he was writing, and
not issuing a warning or a curse.
In John’s prayer, as in so many of ours, he seems to
be asking God for things he has already given us. “Give us our daily bread,” we pray, when most
of us have never gone hungry. “Bless the missionaries” as if God has abandoned
them. “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.” Isn’t that what makes
us God’s people?
“Waist Deep” began with the very first verse in the
Bible so I thought it would be sweet to end with the very last one. While the
Old Testament concluded with a “curse” in connection with the law, the New Testament
closes with a blessing through Jesus.* It reminds us of the contrast between the impotence
of the law and the power of God’s grace to save us.
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| The last words of this great Revelation of Jesus Christ show His desire that all should share eternally in the sweetness of that grace.* |
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