November 25, 2010 - Thursday of the Last Week

Daily Lectionary: Daniel 5:1-30; Revelation 21:9-27

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.” (Revelation 21:23-25)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine a world without a sun. There would not be a sun to rise in the morning and slowly warm the day. No warmness to bask in. No sunshine on your shoulder to make you happy. No sunglasses! A world without a sun does not sound like a great idea.

Imagine a world without a moon. No soft glow of light as you walk at night. There would be nothing for the dogs that are out at night to bark at. No marvelous night for a moon dance. No moonwalk! A world without a moon does not sound like a great idea, either.

Sure, we’d maybe still have electricity and lights and maybe even fire, but a world without a sun or a moon seems like a dark and dreary place. Who would want to live in a place like that?

Well, St. John seems to enjoy the idea. When St. John was exiled on the island of Patmos, he received the revelation of Jesus Christ. Part of that revelation was a glimpse of heaven, and in that vision St. John saw a place without a sun or a moon.

Why no sun or moon? Because there was no need of it, “for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” We won’t need a sun or moon in heaven, and we won’t even miss it. We will be in the presence of the Lamb of God that came to take away the sins of the world.

You are a sinner. You know that; you’ve read the 10 Commandments. But you are going to be raised up on the Last Day and live in the light of Christ forever. That Lamb of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, has shed His blood for you. You simply get to bask in His light.

In heaven there won’t be a sun or a moon. With the light of Christ, we won’t need them or anything else. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Arise, O true disciples; Let wrong give way to right, And penitential shadow To Jesus’ blessed light: The light that has no evening, That knows no moon or sun, The light so new and golden, The light that is but one.” (LSB 513:2)

Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflections Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.

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