Safely Home
Stephen Cottrell tells us that in his temptations, Jesus is coming to discern God’s very particular call on his life (p71). He is going to tread the path of suffering love, and by doing so, lead the world to its true home – a New Creation.
The New Heaven and the New Earth
21 I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. 2 Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband.
3 I heard a loud voice shout from the throne:
God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4 He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
5 Then the one sitting on the throne said:
I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted. 6 Everything is finished! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain to everyone who is thirsty. 7 All who win the victory will be given these blessings. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Jesus has come, not just to live with us here and now, but also to take us home.
Cottrell tells us that on his death-bed, Spencer said
dying and reaching heaven would be a sense of relief of being safe again, of being home, of being where one belongs (p72)
Lord, how I long for the safety of being home with you.
These thoughts are reflecting on Stanley Spencer’s painting The Foxes Have Holes (seen here).
This year for Lent, I am reading Christ in the Wilderness by Bishop Stephen Cottrell, published by SPCK, reflecting on Stanley Spencer’s paintings of that title.
I’m not necessarily going to blog every day on it, just when something leaps out at me – and they will be thoughts rather than full blog posts
Pam's Perambulation 