all eyes on jesus | coming on the clouds

At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[d] is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mark 13:26-31, NIV

In the longer passage (it's worth reading from verse one!) Jesus describes the grandeur of the temple yet foretells its destruction, a startling revelation that prompts his disciples to seek answers about the end of the world. In response, Jesus unfolds a tapestry of events - the flow of history - that will precede his return. It makes for challenging reading.

But in the tapestry there is a golden thread of hope. Jesus assures his followers that in the face of uncertainty, the constancy of God's promises will be our anchor. He beckons us to shift our focus from the fleeting nature of the physical world to the enduring truth of his Word and the certainty of an eternity that will be spent with him.

As Christians, we are called to a faith that transcends the temporal and embraces the everlasting. In acknowledging the fleeting nature of our life on earth, we are invited to live every day with purpose, actively partnering with the Father to see his will established here even as we look forward to the day when we will experience the everlasting joy of his eternal presence.

Take a moment to look up today. He is coming on the clouds!

Let’s pray
Thank you, Lord, that your word is life and hope. Thank you that it comforts and strengthens me, and helps me navigate the uncertainties and challenges of this world. Thank you I can be confident that whatever I face today it is shaping me for eternal glory. Amen.