November 25, 2018 Text: Isaiah 51:4-6
Dear Friends in Christ,
When I say the words “The End” what comes to mind for you? Are you looking for “The End” of your pain? Do you think of “The End” of treatments you are taking? Are you imagining “The End” of work and the beginning of retirement? Is “The End” of your college days creeping ever closer? Do you daydream about “The End” of college expenses on your family balance sheet? Are you already anticipating “The End” of this sermon? Or since you are sitting in church on the Last Sunday of the Church Year are you contemplating “The End” of the world, “The End” of your life? Where is “The End” taking you this morning?
Those two words “The End” are quite popular. There is the 1978 movie starring Burt Reynolds where he is trying to kill himself and just can’t get it accomplished. There are 15 films throughout the world with that title. There are games and bands and albums and songs and radio stations. They all have something to say about “The End.”
Scripture has something to say as well, so let’s get to it . . .
“THE END”
The Lord wants us to sit up straight and to hear him this morning. “Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.” (v. 4) God seeks our attention today. He is alerting us that His salvation is for all. It is for you and it is for your neighbor. God is in control of “The End.”
This is hard for mortal man to grasp. We think we are captains of our souls. Until the Tsunami hits. Until the wildfires rage. Until the hurricane floods. Until the epidemic strikes. Until the doctor’s diagnosis warns us to make final arrangements. So many today see no hope and that is why our life expectancy has actually dropped in the last three years. The opioid crisis. The rise of suicides across all age groups. All many see is “The End” and it can’t come fast enough.
God speaks in the first person 12 times in these three verses. Listen to verse 5: “My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait.” God is not egotistical or needy or insecure in his identity. This is reality and truth. The Lord is the only true salvation. He is the only one who can offer hope. He is the one to whom we will all answer and only through Him can we have life. His gift of salvation lasts forever.
A dream vacation has to end. Honeymoons eventually give way to the realities of daily life. The Lord’s salvation has no end because it is not tied to this world. It is secured by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is being prepared for God’s people even now by Christ.
The last verse of our text: “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.” (v. 6)
Here we sit and stand with sin still a part of us. This verse reminds each soul here today that “The End” of sin comes through faith in Christ. Though we fail miserably and often, God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus will never fail. He is in the Word impressing it upon our heart. He is in the Water and the Word reminding us of sins cleansed. He is in the Holy Supper feeding us pardon and peace.
Yes, “The End” has already come for us. “The End” of guilt and condemnation. “The End” of fear of the grave. This promise: “my salvation will be forever.” Listen to this from the Holy Spirit: “For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:3,4) The promise is ours. We will be with Him forever.
What is it Peter writes? “For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pet. 1:9) THE END? Of course. Finally, and thankfully, this world’s long struggle with sin and unbelief – its agonizing inhumanity toward others – its demand that God should be what it wants – its arrogance – its vulgarity and violence – its turning its back on God’s Word – all of it comes to “The End.” A terrible end for those who have rejected God’s love in Christ. The most glorious, unending life for those in Christ.
Wait patiently, it is coming – “The End.”
Amen.