I wonder if there’s a reason we have so many different words for difficult times. Just a short list would have words like “distress,” “anguish,” “agony,” “affliction,” “trouble,” “sorrow” and “woe.” There are quite a few more that could be added. Do we really need so many? Maybe not, but it likely shows difficult times are a very common experience since we talk about them in such a variety of ways.

Another similar word is “tribulation.” Mentioning “tribulations” is not so common outside the church, and even for us it’s not an everyday word. (However, Google Books has an application that shows how frequent a word was used over time. “Tribulation” was more common in the 1800s, took a dip through the 1900s, and now has seen somewhat of a comeback since the 1990s/2000s).

Whatever way we choose to express the idea, our big wish is to get out of it. The great news is that we will! No matter what difficulty it is. We will get out of it. The apostle John is given a vision . . . . in which he sees those who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).

Some see the “great tribulation” in this verse as a time of special trial for Christians near the end of time like what Jesus describes in Matthew 24:21. That could be the case. Although it’s true John is already a “companion in suffering/tribulation” with his readers (John 1:9) in his own times long before the end of the world.

This vision is for all believers who have experienced tribulation. You may well have your own story of tribulation. Just about everyone does. Persecution or criticism for your faith. Health or relationship tribulations. You may well “get out” of them for a while during life on earth. They have a way of returning, often in different forms.

We ask for deliverance now in God’s goodness. But the great deliverance is what John sees. If those in great tribulation have made it to the place of perfect peace, we will too. With our clothes washed in the blood of Christ. For those who believe in him, there will be a certain escape by God’s grace from any trouble to the great multitude in heaven. See what John sees and rejoice in hope!

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:13-14)

Some like to sing. Others don’t really have the gift. Singing together in a group is a powerful experience anyone can sense.

We know there will be plenty of singing in heaven. When God opens the barrier between heaven and earth and gives . . . . John the Apostle a vision of what is going on in the book of Revelation, singing is a big part of the activity in God’s presence. People sing because of what they see.

It’s not totally strange to sing a song based on what we’re seeing. Our famous “Star Spangled Banner,” our national anthem and a song that inspires us as a country, came originally from what an American saw. Francis Scott Key, prisoner on a British ship off the shore, witnessed a flag still flying. The British navy bombarded Fort McHenry, but the flag still waving after the battle showed the Americans were victorious.

In truth, songs are often inspired by what we see. When, after our years on earth, we witness the great and glorious sight of the Lamb that was slain victorious in heaven, is there anything better we can do than sing? I don’t think so! The countless angels will be singing. The whole church of believers will be singing. All creatures in heaven and on earth will be singing. We will also lend our voices in that powerful chorus.

It doesn’t matter what your singing ability is here on earth. The most off-tune voice will be raised in worship. You all will glorify our Savior, the Lamb who gave his life for us, when you see him!

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)

Very few people would flat out describe life as meaningless. Anyone might have stretches where he or she has trouble finding some greater purpose in life, but likely would still say they are searching or hoping for meaning. Nobody wants to believe that they are walking around for no reason, or that all their efforts are in vain.

Christians have the enormous blessing of always being buoyed up with meaning in Christ. Life is meaningful just because we are following our risen Savior. It’s there whether we are fully aware of it or not.

On the same day he rose from the tomb, Jesus wanted his disciples to make the connection between faith in his resurrection and a meaningful life. This is what he said when he appeared to them as they were gathered together behind locked doors.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:19-21)

What is the meaning that props up our lives?

• We have peace. Peace with God who has justified us by faith and given us the gift of heaven. Peace in all circumstances.
• We are sent out by God. It’s more than just everyone’s random different purposes. We are sent under the authority and guidance of the Lord Almighty.
• We have received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the powerful being who brought us to faith and salvation. Now the Spirit lives in us to convince us of the truth of God’s Word and strengthen us to live it.
• We have a message of forgiveness. We know what to say to people. If they repent and believe in Christ their sins are forgiven.

There is plenty of meaning to be found in family, friendships, hobbies, work and learning new things. Hope in Christ doesn’t take away from those people and things but enhances our relationships to them. At the same time hope in Christ is above them all and more sure than any of them can be.

That’s why we can say that Easter is not just for Easter Day! The resurrection puts meaning into our lives.

 It is easy to become so engrossed in the details of historical events—who, when, where—that we miss their significance. For example, consider World War II. There are many compelling stories. Lots of dates and data to remember. However, for a moment, set all that aside, and just imagine the Allies had lost. How would the world be different today? What would life be like for those of Jewish heritage? Would freedom exist in Europe? Would we be speaking German? With historical events, you miss out if you focus only on the details: who, when, where. You also need to focus what that historical event means. The Allies won. That means something!

In this season of Easter, it is good we review the details: who, when, where. That reminds us that the resurrection of Christ is not fairytale or fable. It is a historical event. . . the historical event. However, we do ourselves a disservice if we simply recall the historic details of Easter without thinking long and hard about Easter’s significance. Jesus won. That means something! It is our privilege and pleasure to use the fifty days of Easter to discuss this fact: because he lives, not only is our eternity secure, but we have abundant resources to face the present.

We have come to the final stretch of Lent, known as “Holy Week.” Think about what that title is implying. We normally talk about a “holiday” (short for “holy day”), where one day is set aside for some special observance or celebration. But for centuries, believers have set aside this entire week for special observance. Clearly, what is discussed during Holy Week is important. Indeed, what we see happen this holy week is the foundation of our eternity.
In Holy Week, we see the impossible. The Son of God dies. The Lord of life enters the last place he belonged—the grave. But what we will see this week is that, when Jesus entered the tomb, he did not go alone. He buried all our baggage with him: sin, guilt, shame, condemnation, fear. Jesus will walk out of the tomb. But thanks to him, those things will all stay dead and buried.
 

 
PALM SUNDAY – SURRENDER BURIES SEIZURE
HOLY THURSDAY – A NEW COVENANT BURIES AN OLD CONTRACT
GOOD FRIDAY – A ONE-TIME SUBSTITUTE BURIES ALL-TIME GUILT
 

The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke bring us the “Parable of the Tenants.” Jesus told the parable during Holy Week, likely on Tuesday. It was part of the last teachings to the people and the religious authorities before his death and resurrection.

In the Parable of the Tenants the owner of a vineyard sends his servants to ask the tenants for his share of the harvest. This is a normal and reasonable request, but the tenants have other plans. They beat up the servants and send them back empty-handed. Finally, the owner sends his own son, thinking the tenants will surely respect him. But they treat him worse and put him to death. The parable is clearly directed at the Jewish religious leaders who opposed him and are standing right there listening. Jesus is pointing out the history of many in . . . . Israel who opposed the prophets in the past, and now they have risen up against the Son of God himself.

Jesus quotes a verse from the Psalms: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22). Interestingly enough, this is one of the top ten most quoted Old Testament verses in the New Testament.

So is our Christian belief centered around rejection?

It wasn’t just Jesus. In Acts, chapter 4, Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man and preaching about Jesus. They were brought before some of the same powerful religious leaders who had condemned Jesus to death just a short time before that. The apostles boldly proclaimed that the healing was in the name of Jesus Christ. Their faith was in the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone (Acts 4:11).

Peter later quotes the same verse in his first letter. He tells his readers that the stone which was rejected is precious to them and all believers (1 Peter 2:4-10).

Is the Christian faith about rejection? In a way, yes. There will be some of that. Plenty of that, in fact. God’s way is not the way of the human world. So people will set themselves up against the preaching of Jesus as the Savior of all. But we don’t let that change our valuing of Jesus as the foundation of our life.

The “underdog” wins! We cheer for the ugly duckling who after much trouble finds out he’s a swan and is accepted by a family of swans. We’re inspired by the U.S men’s hockey team that beat the heavily favored Soviets in the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

It’s not always the “most likely to succeed” who win the victory. Jesus was often rejected, but is our precious cornerstone. He’s the foundation and guide for everything we believe and hold dear.

Even though rejection is there, the victory is the main message of our faith. The way of God triumphs. Sin and death are defeated in the only way possible, Jesus’ death and resurrection. What has been pushed aside by natural human resistance is really the greatest message of all. Let everyone know your faith and hope rest on the stone that became the cornerstone!

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone
(Luke 20:17)

A young teenager in Jerusalem named Jacob Eliahu skipped school one day and wanted to go swimming. He had a specific spot in mind. There was a long tunnel in the city with water flowing through it. He challenged a friend to start at one end of it, and he would start at the other. It would be a long swim in the dark, but they hoped to meet in the middle.

His friend quit after a while and turned around, but Jacob made it through the whole tunnel. To find his way in the dark he felt along the wall and made two discoveries. First, the chisel marks from the making of the tunnel changed direction about halfway through. Even more amazing, toward the end of his journey he felt something different on the wall. These were not random chisel marks, but engraved words.

This was in 1880. It turns out he had stumbled across . . . . a message from over 2500 years before about how the tunnel was constructed. And the tunnel went back to the days of King Hezekiah of Judah!

As for the other events of Hezekiah’s reign, all his achievements and how he made the pool and the tunnel by which he brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? (2 Kings 20:20)

This was a hugely important event for archaeology and the Bible. It was also a reminder of the importance of wells and springs of water to ancient peoples. Water was refreshing and life-giving. God often used water as a picture of his blessings and salvation, as in Isaiah 41:18: I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.

It's no surprise, then, that the Lord through his prophet tells us to continually draw from our source of life. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3).

If your life with God appears to be a little dry, you need refreshing! If you have allowed bitterness to creep in, if you have followed too much the pull of worldly goals and put the Scriptures on the back burner, or if you have less joy in your spiritual life than in the past, you need refreshing! Draw from the wells of God’s salvation. Immerse yourself in the Word of God to you. Be filled with life in the remembrance of the power of your baptism, and the assurance you are forgiven in the Lord’s Supper. When you draw from those promises of God, you will never be left thirsty. You will know the joy of God’s salvation!