Second Sunday in Lent ©

INTRO: Are you worried about the future?

For
Our church…..
Our society…..
Our safety in a crowded place, like a church or a mosque…..
Your family’s well-being…..

There is a lot of worry out there…. Am I RIGHT?

Worrying about the future, because it is so uncertain and a bit scary, causes anxiety and stress within us and in daily living.

I am so sorry for the loss of lives in New Zealand and dislike all the reasons associated with such an evil act causing all to be worried, tenuous, shaky, and questionable about life.

But, you still came to church today to plead to God maybe for an answer to these worries or for Him to “DO SOMETHING!” or for Him to comfort you and settle you down.
We have been told….. “Don’t Give Up!” I am with you always!

But, I had a glimpse of something from the OLD TESTAMENT reading that I want to share.

The world has been on shaky ground before.

Here is ABRAHAM, on shaky ground, with a God who promises that His descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky…. I am sure he was uncertain about all of that!! But He ALWAYS LISTENED to GOD and kept “in the game”!

And God continues that promise today, to keep us NUMEROUS ….. So, HOPE IN HIS PROMISE… as God will PREVAIL over all these uncertainties. Believe in our God, first and foremost!

It has been said that Jesus also knew that his apostles would be headed for shaky ground and become worried about their future.

Jesus had explained to them that He would have to SUFFER, be arrested, beaten and crucified and KNEW that this would cause them anxiety and loss of hope… Remember doubting Thomas!!

The TRANSFIGURATION was His gift to them to give them HOPE for the future. This surprise GLORY, this fantastic encounter was for them to SEE AHEAD of the anxieties and worries, offering them encouragement, confidence, and optimism.

CONCLUSION

So, YES, we are on shaky ground, too. Let JESUS comfort you in Holy Communion, for that’s what it is all about. This is my body and blood of the new and eternal covenant. Do this in memory of me!