“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Johnny Cash and I sang a duet while driving home from Nashville on Sunday; well, actually I just sang “when the roll is called up yonder” while the song was being played on the radio. Going home, have you ever considered who will be worthy of having their names written on the role? Am I considered worthy? I try to live in a way which is good and God-pleasing but the reality is that the face in morning mirror failed again and again. What about the children in the attached photo? They are some of the 105 that attend the Lutheran School in Balague which is located in the Arcahaie District. Are they considered worthy? They probably try as hard as we do to live God-pleasing lives but not sure if they are able recite the six chief parts of the Lutheran Catechism like you and I can…or once could.
Good news! While we are pleading the worthiness of our lives is exactly where and when Jesus comes in! Jesus came to this world not because we were good people, but because we were bad people, sinful people who needed a Savior. His death on the cross paid for all our American and Haitian sins that made us unworthy. We can now, because of Jesus, look forward to eternity in the glory of heaven together with the children from Balague and all of God's family of believers!
“When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair. When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, and the glory of His resurrection share. When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, let us talk of all His wondrous love and care. Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.” James Black, 1893
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay