Cities and towns can take on a personality of their own, something they’re known for. There might be a characteristic that unites the people that live there, so much so that the place gets a nickname.

Here are some you probably know: Chicago (“The Windy City”) and Paris (“The City of Lights”). Here are a few you might not know: Curitiba, Brazil (“The City of Eternal Fog”); Ushuaia, Argentina (“The End of the World”); Yatomi, Japan (“The City of Goldfish”). And here are a couple more that are not so complimentary: Las Vegas (“Sin City”) and London (“The Big Smoke”).

What is your place of residence known for? Is it something you’re proud of? We can spend our whole life chasing the perfect place to live. There will always be pros and cons, things we enjoy and things we don’t. After that search is done, we will arrive at the city we have always . . . . yearned for. This city appears at the end of the book of Revelation, and could be called “The Golden City,” “The City of Life,” or “The Pure City.” Or, probably the best name for it, “The City of the Lord God Almighty.”

We will live there with the Lamb, because of the Lamb! The One who has purified us so we can dwell where the Lord is. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, washed us in his blood on the cross. Through faith in him he gave us the white robes of holiness that are the attire in heaven.

You will live in perfect peace in the City of God because of your Savior!

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (Revelation 21:21-22)

On the night before he gave his life for the world, Jesus left his disciples a new command to love one another. It’s been pointed out that God’s people were already supposed to be loving. There was even a command to that effect many centuries before: Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18).

The “newness” wasn’t so much our love to others, but our love to others in the love of Christ. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34). Jesus’ love is sacrificial. It took suffering. It meant lowering himself to a human existence. It was faithful and in service to others. It included love for his enemies. And the love of Christ was for you.

That’s not just any kind of love. It has embraced you by grace through faith in Jesus. You see what it looks in your Savior.

Don’t be shy! You have this “new” love to give because it has arrived in your life. You are sure in your eternal salvation and your conscience is at peace because of God’s gift of grace in his Son’s death for you.

Let people see through you an extraordinary love toward your spouse, children, coworkers, friends and enemies. Then they will know without a doubt you’ve been touched by the love of Christ.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

I wonder if there’s a reason we have so many different words for difficult times. Just a short list would have words like “distress,” “anguish,” “agony,” “affliction,” “trouble,” “sorrow” and “woe.” There are quite a few more that could be added. Do we really need so many? Maybe not, but it likely shows difficult times are a very common experience since we talk about them in such a variety of ways.

Another similar word is “tribulation.” Mentioning “tribulations” is not so common outside the church, and even for us it’s not an everyday word. (However, Google Books has an application that shows how frequent a word was used over time. “Tribulation” was more common in the 1800s, took a dip through the 1900s, and now has seen somewhat of a comeback since the 1990s/2000s).

Whatever way we choose to express the idea, our big wish is to get out of it. The great news is that we will! No matter what difficulty it is. We will get out of it. The apostle John is given a vision . . . . in which he sees those who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).

Some see the “great tribulation” in this verse as a time of special trial for Christians near the end of time like what Jesus describes in Matthew 24:21. That could be the case. Although it’s true John is already a “companion in suffering/tribulation” with his readers (John 1:9) in his own times long before the end of the world.

This vision is for all believers who have experienced tribulation. You may well have your own story of tribulation. Just about everyone does. Persecution or criticism for your faith. Health or relationship tribulations. You may well “get out” of them for a while during life on earth. They have a way of returning, often in different forms.

We ask for deliverance now in God’s goodness. But the great deliverance is what John sees. If those in great tribulation have made it to the place of perfect peace, we will too. With our clothes washed in the blood of Christ. For those who believe in him, there will be a certain escape by God’s grace from any trouble to the great multitude in heaven. See what John sees and rejoice in hope!

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:13-14)

Some like to sing. Others don’t really have the gift. Singing together in a group is a powerful experience anyone can sense.

We know there will be plenty of singing in heaven. When God opens the barrier between heaven and earth and gives . . . . John the Apostle a vision of what is going on in the book of Revelation, singing is a big part of the activity in God’s presence. People sing because of what they see.

It’s not totally strange to sing a song based on what we’re seeing. Our famous “Star Spangled Banner,” our national anthem and a song that inspires us as a country, came originally from what an American saw. Francis Scott Key, prisoner on a British ship off the shore, witnessed a flag still flying. The British navy bombarded Fort McHenry, but the flag still waving after the battle showed the Americans were victorious.

In truth, songs are often inspired by what we see. When, after our years on earth, we witness the great and glorious sight of the Lamb that was slain victorious in heaven, is there anything better we can do than sing? I don’t think so! The countless angels will be singing. The whole church of believers will be singing. All creatures in heaven and on earth will be singing. We will also lend our voices in that powerful chorus.

It doesn’t matter what your singing ability is here on earth. The most off-tune voice will be raised in worship. You all will glorify our Savior, the Lamb who gave his life for us, when you see him!

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)

Very few people would flat out describe life as meaningless. Anyone might have stretches where he or she has trouble finding some greater purpose in life, but likely would still say they are searching or hoping for meaning. Nobody wants to believe that they are walking around for no reason, or that all their efforts are in vain.

Christians have the enormous blessing of always being buoyed up with meaning in Christ. Life is meaningful just because we are following our risen Savior. It’s there whether we are fully aware of it or not.

On the same day he rose from the tomb, Jesus wanted his disciples to make the connection between faith in his resurrection and a meaningful life. This is what he said when he appeared to them as they were gathered together behind locked doors.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:19-21)

What is the meaning that props up our lives?

• We have peace. Peace with God who has justified us by faith and given us the gift of heaven. Peace in all circumstances.
• We are sent out by God. It’s more than just everyone’s random different purposes. We are sent under the authority and guidance of the Lord Almighty.
• We have received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the powerful being who brought us to faith and salvation. Now the Spirit lives in us to convince us of the truth of God’s Word and strengthen us to live it.
• We have a message of forgiveness. We know what to say to people. If they repent and believe in Christ their sins are forgiven.

There is plenty of meaning to be found in family, friendships, hobbies, work and learning new things. Hope in Christ doesn’t take away from those people and things but enhances our relationships to them. At the same time hope in Christ is above them all and more sure than any of them can be.

That’s why we can say that Easter is not just for Easter Day! The resurrection puts meaning into our lives.

 It is easy to become so engrossed in the details of historical events—who, when, where—that we miss their significance. For example, consider World War II. There are many compelling stories. Lots of dates and data to remember. However, for a moment, set all that aside, and just imagine the Allies had lost. How would the world be different today? What would life be like for those of Jewish heritage? Would freedom exist in Europe? Would we be speaking German? With historical events, you miss out if you focus only on the details: who, when, where. You also need to focus what that historical event means. The Allies won. That means something!

In this season of Easter, it is good we review the details: who, when, where. That reminds us that the resurrection of Christ is not fairytale or fable. It is a historical event. . . the historical event. However, we do ourselves a disservice if we simply recall the historic details of Easter without thinking long and hard about Easter’s significance. Jesus won. That means something! It is our privilege and pleasure to use the fifty days of Easter to discuss this fact: because he lives, not only is our eternity secure, but we have abundant resources to face the present.

We have come to the final stretch of Lent, known as “Holy Week.” Think about what that title is implying. We normally talk about a “holiday” (short for “holy day”), where one day is set aside for some special observance or celebration. But for centuries, believers have set aside this entire week for special observance. Clearly, what is discussed during Holy Week is important. Indeed, what we see happen this holy week is the foundation of our eternity.
In Holy Week, we see the impossible. The Son of God dies. The Lord of life enters the last place he belonged—the grave. But what we will see this week is that, when Jesus entered the tomb, he did not go alone. He buried all our baggage with him: sin, guilt, shame, condemnation, fear. Jesus will walk out of the tomb. But thanks to him, those things will all stay dead and buried.
 

 
PALM SUNDAY – SURRENDER BURIES SEIZURE
HOLY THURSDAY – A NEW COVENANT BURIES AN OLD CONTRACT
GOOD FRIDAY – A ONE-TIME SUBSTITUTE BURIES ALL-TIME GUILT