New Heavens and a New Earth

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 65:17-25

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Luke 21:5-19

Message Text

(Audio recording did not record properly, so only the text version is available for this message)

As I reflected on the Scripture passages today, I came back to the themes from our summer retreat. What were they?

1. Identity: that I am a beloved child of God, created uniquely and beautifully, no matter what anyone else says
2. Community: we are created to be in community, where love, mutual understanding and compassion are central
3. Purpose: we are each created for a unique purpose, but as children of God we are all to love our neighbor and seek justice

My friends, we need to come back to these themes more than ever, with all that is happening in this world.

You’ve witnessed the astounding results of the US Presidential election, with Donald Trump elected as the next President of the United States. He was able to tap into a deep sense of alienation and resentment on the part of white working-class Americans, who feel left behind in the new global economy, that elected representatives only care about themselves, and that all the powers that be have just ignored their situation. Donald Trump gave voice to their grievances, but did so in a manner that brought out a lot of dark sentiments, blaming problems on everything that’s “Other”: Mexicans, Muslims, anything that’s not “Us”. Much of their resentment was directed to all those perceived as “Other”. There is great fear how this new tone will affect relations in the country, particularly toward minorities.

Across the world in places like Europe, there is a backlash against “outsiders” who come from places like Africa or the Middle East. Countries are starting to withdraw from global participation to take care of themselves first. Big issues like ecological crises and climate change are at risk because countries want to take care of their own economic needs first. And in our own affluent society, I described the present evil age as the capitalistic and materialistic society that makes us extremely self-absorbed and self-centered, and that robs us of our ability to think for ourselves, be our authentic selves and care for others in genuine community. Basically, if I live a good life, that’s all that matters.

In many ways, I lament the kind of world your generation is entering into and will inherit. What kind of world will we pass onto you? And will you all just get sucked into the world’s self-centered and destructive ways?

This is when I get back on my knees and return to my faith in the gospel – the good news. And when I do so, this is when I’m convicted that we must return to our identity. Our identity must be anchored in God’s love. We must know just how deeply God loves us and has created us uniquely and beautifully. We must reaffirm that Jesus calls us to love one another and be a real community. In the midst of a world that is self-centered and prone to destruction, let’s be a community that resists with love and compassion. And finally, we are called to be a people of hope for a world that seems to have lost it. We must reach out to the excluded and marginalized just like Jesus did. We must stand up to the powerful who might exploit or take advantage of the weak. That is our purpose.

My friends, this is not an easy path. Jesus warns us in today’s passage that if we follow the example of Jesus, we will be persecuted, that we will betrayed and hated. That’s what eventually happened to Jesus, isn’t it? He was executed on a cross as a criminal. Why? Because he was a threat to the system that had lost the heart of God and was instead oppressing the weak. All of his closest friends and disciples abandoned him. How was he able to withstand and persevere such hardship and loneliness? Because his identity was firm that he was the beloved Son of God. Our identities must be secure that we are God’s children who will follow His ways.

But that’s not the end of the story, right? From the world’s perspective, his death on the cross seemed like a tragic end and defeat. But God saw things differently and had a different plan! God raised Jesus up from the dead, thereby defeating death. And this is the basis of our faith, my friends. We believe that God has the final victory, and so in Christ we crucify our old selves, give ourselves to God and find new life in Him!

While many things seem bleak and dark, we cling to hope for a better world led by God. We hear in today’s reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaking of new heavens and a new earth, where there is no sadness or injustice. My friends, we are called to participate in the creation of this new world. At your school, or here at church, let’s be people who bring joy and encouragement to those around us. Let’s reach out to those who are excluded or ostracized. Let’s stand up against those who might bully or try to exclude others. I know you’re all thinking about your futures and what kind of career to pursue. I encourage you to pray and think about how God might use you to be a positive force in this world.

While we ask God to work in this world, we must be diligent and work hard to make this a new earth. As Paul encourages us through today’s reading in 2 Thessalonians, let us not be idle, but put in everything we have not just in our school work and extra-curricular activities, but also in being people who will help create this new earth, one filled with love, encouragement, compassion and justice.