A Hope and A Promise
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Hebrews 10:1-7
1. For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. 2. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. 3. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. 4. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; 6. in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. 7. Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book."
Revelation 22:12-14
Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
It is simply a “given” that attendance at our church services nearly double at Christmas and Easter. And each year our worship leaders are compelled to think of how to make those particular worship services so compelling that those twice a year attendees will turn into regular attendees. “What can we say that will cause them to want to return next Sunday, and the Sunday after?” About six months ago our congregation began offering an “Alternative Worship” service in the hope of attracting “less traditional” worshipers.
Our church has always been very welcoming, I think. We invite newcomers in and work hard to make them feel as if “our home is their home.” I remember when we were new our church, several people approached us and asked us what our hobbies and interests were--right away! They hoped to find a small group for us to join so we would feel connected righ off the bat. So often, though, those who come only at Christmas and/or Easter are leery of being approached by congregants. Perhaps they were raised in a church where outsiders weren’t necessary welcomed and so they assume they won’t really be welcome--but for their checkbooks. Perhaps they have been so hurt and broken by the world that they don’t trust true Christians-survivors of hurt and brokenness-reaching out to others like themselves. Perhaps once or twice a year the hopeless come, looking for hope, wanting to feel closer to Christ during holidays that encourage just the opposite “in the world.”
The world cannot meet that deep, abiding need within us. Only Christ can. Some may cast aspersions on those semi-annual attendees. I’m just so grateful to be in a church that welcomes them. I want them to come -- even if only twice a year and feel the warmth of Christ’s love celebrated in the hope his birth and the promise lived out through the resurrection of his body. Our task is to be certain we are living out that hope and promise when others come looking for them! “Come on in! Stay a while! We love Jesus here, and we’re so glad you came. We are far from perfect, but we try very hard! And that’s all we’ll ask of you if you join us in the weeks and months to come.” That’s what our message should be!
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. When someone walks out of our church after attending the first time, I hope they feel their robes have been washed and that they feel born anew. We need to remember though, that WE can’t make people feel that way. It’s a personal thing--between God and man. Each one will respond depending upon where his name is written in the book of life.
I hope today you grab hold of the hope of Jesus’ birth and the promise of his resurrection. And that you share that hope and promise with everyone you meet.
Mary
